Cyclone Ditwah has left a devastating mark on Sri Lanka, with the official death toll now standing at 123. The storm’s intensity has led to widespread flooding and treacherous landslides, crippling communities and displacing hundreds of thousands. Immediate rescue and relief operations are the priority across the island.
The Kandy District is the epicenter of the tragedy, recording 51 deaths and 51 individuals still missing. Badulla District has also reported a high number of casualties, with 35 confirmed deaths and 27 people unaccounted for. Several other districts, including Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ampara, have also suffered losses.
Collectively, 373,428 individuals from 102,877 families have been affected by the extreme weather conditions. A dramatic rescue unfolded on the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road where nearly 40 people, including a foreign national, were saved from a bus trapped by floodwaters. They had managed to climb onto a nearby roof for safety.
India’s ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ is providing critical assistance to Sri Lanka. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with specialized equipment and search dogs, has arrived to support local efforts. Naval vessels have delivered essential relief materials, and a dedicated help desk has been established in Colombo for Indian nationals.
In anticipation of Cyclone Ditwah’s arrival, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in several coastal districts from Saturday onwards. Preparedness measures are in full swing in India, with NDRF teams deployed to vulnerable areas and ongoing coordination to ensure an effective response.