Cyclone Ditwah is on a collision course with India’s eastern coast, prompting a red alert for northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The powerful storm, which has already unleashed devastating consequences in Sri Lanka, is expected to make landfall imminently. Residents in affected regions are urged to exercise extreme caution as heavy rainfall and strong winds are anticipated. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed the cyclone’s proximity, with its center located in the southwest Bay of Bengal and moving slowly northward. Disaster response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed to bolster preparedness and aid in potential rescue operations. India has also initiated ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, extending crucial humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, which suffered significant casualties and widespread damage from Ditwah. This includes deploying air force aircraft with relief supplies and specialized NDRF rescue teams equipped with search dogs to aid in recovery efforts across the island nation.
