Cyclone Ditwah has inflicted a severe blow on Sri Lanka, causing widespread devastation through intense flooding and deadly landslides. The storm has claimed 123 lives, with an additional 130 individuals reported missing. The Kandy District has been hit the hardest, recording 51 fatalities and 67 missing persons. Badulla District is also severely affected, with 35 confirmed deaths and 27 missing. Other regions like Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ampara have also reported significant casualties.
Over 373,000 people across 102,000 families have been impacted by the cyclone’s fury, facing floods, landslides, and strong winds. Rescue operations are in full swing. In a dramatic rescue, around 40 people, including a foreign national, were saved from a bus swept away by floodwaters near Anuradhapura. They had sought refuge on a nearby rooftop after the bus was stranded.
India has stepped in to assist Sri Lanka through ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ An Indian Air Force aircraft delivered 80 NDRF personnel, including specialized rescue dogs and essential equipment. The Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri have also delivered crucial relief supplies. The High Commission of India 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 Cyclone Ditwah’s landfall. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in several coastal districts, with light to moderate rain predicted for other areas. Authorities have deployed 14 NDRF teams to vulnerable districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with more teams on standby in Chennai to manage the potential impact.