Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed large-scale destruction across Sri Lanka, leaving 159 people dead and 203 missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre. The island continues to battle relentless adverse weather, with widespread flooding and landslides causing severe disruption and displacement.
India has stepped up humanitarian efforts as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, delivering critical assistance to the cyclone-hit nation. On Saturday, two Indian Air Force aircraft transported 21 tonnes of essential relief material along with 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel. The teams have been deployed in Puttalam and Badulla, two of the worst-affected districts, where they have already assisted in saving more than 40 lives.
From the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant, two Chetak helicopters joined the Sri Lankan Air Force in search and rescue operations, conducting multiple sorties to evacuate stranded civilians. Later in the evening, two additional helicopters airlifted high-priority humanitarian aid and disaster relief cargo to support ongoing efforts on the ground.
As Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath, the cyclone is now advancing towards the Indian coastline. Heavy rainfall has begun to lash Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for these regions, warning of intense weather conditions over the coming hours.
The IMD stated in its latest bulletin that Cyclone Ditwah is expected to approach the southwest Bay of Bengal near north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday morning. While uncertainty remains over whether the cyclone will make landfall near Chennai, Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said the state is fully prepared to initiate rescue and relief operations on a war footing.
Authorities across the southern states have begun taking precautionary measures as the cyclone’s impact draws closer, with emergency teams placed on standby and vulnerable coastal communities alerted.
