Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed a wave of destruction across Sri Lanka, causing widespread flooding and lethal landslides. The natural disaster has severely impacted multiple districts, leaving a trail of damaged infrastructure and displacing a significant portion of the population. Emergency services are working tirelessly to conduct rescue and relief operations across the affected zones.
The scale of the disaster has been confirmed by the Disaster Management Centre, highlighting the profound impact on communities throughout Sri Lanka. The latest figures reveal a tragic death toll of 123, with approximately 130 people still unaccounted for. Kandy District has reported the highest number of casualties, at 51 dead and 67 missing, followed by Badulla District with 35 fatalities and 27 missing.
Other severely affected districts include Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ampara, all experiencing substantial loss of life and property. The cyclone’s powerful winds and associated rains have impacted over 373,000 individuals from more than 102,000 families. A remarkable rescue involved saving around 40 passengers from a bus submerged in floodwaters, with survivors clinging to a nearby rooftop.
India’s commitment to aiding Sri Lanka is evident through ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ An Indian Air Force plane delivered NDRF teams, including search and rescue dogs, along with critical disaster relief supplies. Relief consignments were also transported via the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri. The Indian High Commission has set up a dedicated help desk to assist its citizens affected by the cyclone.
As Cyclone Ditwah moves closer, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Forecasters anticipate heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal districts starting Saturday, with specific warnings for Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. The forecast indicates continued heavy showers into Sunday for Tiruvallur and Ranipet, with potential for isolated heavy rain on Monday.
In preparation for the cyclone’s arrival, India has strategically deployed 14 NDRF teams to vulnerable coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Additional teams are on standby in Puducherry, and a contingent from Pune and Vadodara is heading to Chennai. Coordinated efforts between national and state disaster management bodies, along with meteorological experts, are crucial for managing the impending impact.