Paper: GS – I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Geo – Physical Phenomenon, Issue: Cyclone Ditwah.
Context:
Cyclone Ditwah, a rare cyclonic storm in the 2025 North Indian Ocean season, formed southeast of Sri Lanka and tracked slowly northwards parallel to its eastern coast, causing unprecedented devastation with over 390 deaths in Sri Lanka before weakening and brushing India’s Tamil Nadu coast.
Key Takeaways:
Unusual Characteristics of Cyclone Ditwah:
Cyclone Ditwah, which formed in the Indian Ocean region, exhibited several unusual characteristics:
- Uncommon Origin: Unlike typical cyclones in the region, Ditwah originated south of Sri Lanka, a location not commonly associated with cyclone formation.
- Northward Trajectory: Instead of heading directly towards land, the cyclone moved northwards along the eastern coastline of Sri Lanka.
Prolonged Impact: The cyclone lingered along the coast for an extended period, exacerbating the damage due to its slow movement.
Factors Contributing to Cyclone Ditwah’s Formation:
Two key factors contributed to the formation of Cyclone Ditwah:
- Active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ): The ITCZ, a region near the equator where trade winds converge, was highly active during the period, leading to increased cloud formation and thunderstorms.
- Equatorial Waves: The presence of equatorial waves, periodic atmospheric disturbances in the region, further fueled the cyclone’s development.
The interaction of these two systems provided the necessary conditions for the emergence of Cyclone Ditwah.
Impact on Sri Lanka:
Cyclone Ditwah caused significant devastation in Sri Lanka, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread damage. Several factors contributed to the cyclone’s disproportionate impact on Sri Lanka:
- Lack of Regular Cyclone Exposure: Sri Lanka experiences cyclones less frequently than India, leading to a lower level of preparedness.
- Cyclone’s Trajectory: The cyclone’s movement parallel to the coastline prolonged its impact, causing continuous damage.
- Slow Speed: The slow-moving nature of the cyclone further intensified its impact, as it lingered for a longer duration.
Sri Lanka’s Preparedness for Cyclones:
While Sri Lanka is not immune to cyclones, it is not as regularly exposed as India. This has implications for the country’s preparedness:
- Limited Experience
- Weaker Infrastructure
- Awareness and Education is Low
Role of the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
The India Meteorological Department’s Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre plays a crucial role in monitoring cyclones in the Indian Ocean region and issuing alerts.
- Monitoring and Prediction
- Alert Dissemination
- Information Sharing
Its disproportionate impact on Sri Lanka underscored the importance of preparedness, even in regions that are not regularly exposed to cyclones. The role of the India Meteorological Department in monitoring and providing timely warnings is crucial for mitigating the impact of cyclones in the region.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/cyclone-ditwah-sri-lanka-10398601
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