Sri Lanka is currently battling the severe consequences of Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in extensive flooding and deadly landslides, claiming 123 lives to date. The widespread destruction has severely impacted communities, damaging infrastructure and causing mass displacement. Ongoing rescue and relief operations are a priority for authorities.
The scale of the disaster is immense, with 123 confirmed fatalities and 130 individuals still missing. The Kandy and Badulla districts have recorded the highest number of casualties. Overall, more than 373,000 people have been affected by the cyclone’s destructive path, facing perilous conditions from floods, landslides, and strong winds.
In one instance, a swift rescue operation saved around 40 passengers, including a foreign national, from a bus that was overwhelmed by floodwaters. The stranded individuals were safely relocated to higher ground.
India is providing critical assistance to Sri Lanka through ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ This includes the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with specialized rescue teams and equipment, as well as the delivery of essential relief materials by naval vessels. An emergency help desk has also been established in Colombo to support Indian nationals 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.