Sri Lanka is reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has triggered severe flooding and deadly landslides across numerous regions. The cyclone’s wrath has left infrastructure in ruins and displaced a significant portion of the population. Emergency services are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations throughout the devastated areas.
The Disaster Management Centre has confirmed the widespread impact on communities nationwide. The Kandy District has been the hardest hit, with 51 fatalities and 67 individuals still missing. Badulla District has reported 35 deaths and 27 missing persons. Other severely affected districts include Kegalle (9 deaths), Matale (8 deaths), Nuwara Eliya (6 deaths), and Ampara (5 deaths).
In total, Cyclone Ditwah has impacted 373,428 people from 102,877 families, with widespread damage from floods, landslides, and high winds. A dramatic rescue operation saw nearly 40 people, including a foreign national, saved from a bus overcome by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge. They had sought refuge on a nearby rooftop.
India has extended crucial support through ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ An Indian Air Force aircraft delivered 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, including specialized search dogs, along with vital relief supplies. Naval assets, including the INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri, have also been involved in delivering aid. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has established an emergency help desk for Indian citizens affected by the cyclone.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, anticipating the cyclone’s landfall. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for several districts, including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Villupuram, on Saturday and Sunday. Preparedness measures are intensifying in India, with NDRF teams strategically deployed in vulnerable coastal districts. Continuous monitoring and coordination with various agencies are underway to manage the situation effectively.