Cyclone Ditwah has caused significant disruption, with Sri Lanka reporting a tragic death toll of 153 and 191 missing due to heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides. India has responded with ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu,’ deploying NDRF personnel to aid in rescue and relief efforts. The External Affairs Minister confirmed close coordination between Indian teams and Sri Lankan authorities on the ground.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts. Cyclone Ditwah is currently located about 70 kilometers from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast and is expected to move northward, remaining close to the coastline. While strong winds and rough seas are impacting Puducherry, the storm is forecast to weaken into a deep depression by Sunday evening. Importantly, the system is not expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu.
In preparedness, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has established a 24/7 control room to monitor and ensure the resilience of telecom networks during the cyclone’s passage. This control room will work with service providers and disaster management authorities for a swift response.