The tropical cyclone Ditwah has inflicted immense tragedy upon Sri Lanka, resulting in a confirmed death toll exceeding 330 and a substantial number of missing persons. Official figures from the Disaster Management Centre indicate 334 lives lost and 370 people still missing following the severe weather that commenced on November 16th. The cyclone’s fury manifested in widespread flooding and devastating landslides across the nation.
Over a million Sri Lankans have been impacted by the extreme conditions, with displacement affecting a significant portion of the population. Authorities are actively engaged in damage mitigation, issuing critical flood warnings as rivers like the Kelani swell alarmingly. Schools in flood-prone zones have been transformed into shelters for those forced to evacuate their homes. The national emergency declaration underscores the severity of the situation.
Adding to the relief efforts, India has successfully evacuated more than 300 of its nationals who were stranded in Sri Lanka. Utilizing air force transport, these individuals were brought safely to Thiruvananthapuram. Indian military assets, including specialized helicopters and ground forces, have been deployed to aid in the ongoing rescue and relief operations within Sri Lanka, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the affected nation.