Sri Lanka Joins India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia in a Region-Wide Storm Watch — The Alarming Government Alerts Every Traveller Should See Right Now

Published on November 28, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Sri Lanka, positioned along key travel and maritime routes connecting India, China, Japan, Australia, and the broader Asia-Pacific region, issued urgent government alerts on November 28, 2025, as a cyclonic storm intensified near the island during the northeast monsoon season. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka and the Department of Meteorology, the system produced heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hazardous sea conditions, prompting national warnings for potential flooding and landslides across multiple districts.

WHAT Happened?

A developing cyclonic storm—referred to as “Cyclone Ditwah” in independent reports but not officially named by Sri Lanka’s government—moved close to Sri Lanka’s eastern maritime zone on November 28, strengthening the ongoing northeast monsoon. Government bulletins confirmed the presence of a storm system generating:

• Heavy showers across land and sea
• Strong wind gusts up to 70–80 km/h
• Rough to very rough seas in coastal regions
• Increased landslide and flood risk in low-lying and mountainous terrain

These effects aligned with monsoon-related hazards that typically intensify during late November, but the storm’s proximity significantly escalated national risk levels.

WHERE Did Impacts Occur?

Official bulletins from DMC Sri Lanka highlighted multiple districts under heightened alert. While the government did not publish a casualty report in the accessed documents, it issued warnings for:

• Eastern Province – including coastal zones vulnerable to high seas and sudden flooding
• Northern and North-Central regions – where rainfall accumulation could lead to overflowing rivers and reservoirs
• Central Highlands – at risk of landslides due to saturated soil
• Southern and Western coastal belts – advised to expect rough seas and winds

Maritime advisories also extended to vessels operating near Sri Lanka’s eastern and southeastern seas, urging them to avoid hazardous waters.

WHEN Were Alerts Issued?

Government advisories were active throughout November 28, 2025, with the DMC issuing updates through the afternoon and evening. The alerts remained valid into late night hours, reflecting expected continued rainfall exceeding 100 mm in some areas.

WHO Issued the Warnings?

All storm-related warnings came from:

• Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre (DMC)
• Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka

These institutions issued coordinated advisories for both land and marine sectors, while local authorities activated precautionary measures across at-risk districts.

WHY Did the Storm Intensify?

According to met.gov.lk, the northeast monsoon—active between October and December—brings strong winds and significant moisture across the Bay of Bengal. In this period, low-pressure systems often form and escalate into depressions or cyclonic storms.

The November 28 system moved close enough to Sri Lanka to “enhance atmospheric instability,” increasing:

• Convective rainfall
• Thunderstorm activity
• Coastal wind speeds

This interaction between monsoon flow and the storm’s outer circulation triggered conditions severe enough for the government to issue widespread warnings.

HOW Is the Government Responding?

Government guidance published on dmc.gov.lk focused on preventive action, instructing the public to:

• Avoid riverbanks and flood-prone zones
• Stay clear of unstable slopes
• Refrain from sea travel in affected coastal regions
• Monitor official bulletins for real-time updates
• Prepare for localized evacuations in high-risk areas

Emergency teams were placed on standby in multiple districts, with the DMC coordinating readiness protocols for:

• Flood response units
• Landslide monitoring teams
• Search and rescue preparedness
• Evacuation shelters in vulnerable regions

These measures aim to prevent casualties and mitigate disaster impact as heavy rainfall continues.

Conclusion: Continuing Uncertainty as Sri Lanka and Region Monitor Storm Movement

While independent reports referenced the name “Cyclone Ditwah,” Sri Lanka’s government has not officially confirmed or used this name in its published documents. Instead, national agencies remain focused on hazard warnings, preventive action, and real-time monitoring as the storm system interacts with the monsoon.

Given Sri Lanka’s position along regional air and sea routes linking India, China, Japan, Australia, and the wider Indo-Pacific, meteorological shifts can have broader implications across South Asia.