The devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah continues to unfold in Sri Lanka, with the death toll now tragically reaching 123. The cyclone has unleashed torrents of rain, leading to widespread flooding and deadly landslides across several districts, leaving a trail of destruction and displacing many.
Rescue efforts are in full swing as authorities work to reach those affected by the extreme weather. Official reports indicate that 123 people have lost their lives, and a further 130 are reported missing. The Kandy and Badulla districts have borne the brunt of the fatalities, with significant numbers of deaths and missing persons. Other regions like Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ampara have also reported casualties.
Over 370,000 individuals across 100,000 families have been impacted by the cyclone’s fury, facing floods, landslides, and strong winds. A dramatic rescue saw around 40 people, including a foreign woman, saved from a bus trapped by rising floodwaters. Passengers clung to the roof of a nearby building to escape the perilous situation.
India has stepped in with substantial humanitarian assistance under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), equipped with search dogs and rescue gear, has been deployed to Sri Lanka. Relief supplies have been delivered by the Indian Navy, and an emergency help desk has been set up in Colombo to aid Indian nationals. India’s Chetak helicopters have also conducted vital search and rescue missions.