Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed a devastating path across Sri Lanka, claiming over 330 lives and leaving hundreds more missing. The island nation is grappling with widespread destruction caused by the severe weather event, which triggered catastrophic floods and landslides. The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre reported a grim toll of 334 fatalities and 370 individuals unaccounted for as of Sunday evening. The cyclone’s impact has been far-reaching, affecting over 1.1 million people from more than 300,000 families.
In response to the crisis, Sri Lankan authorities have issued flood alerts and initiated rescue efforts. The Kelani River has reached dangerous levels, prompting the conversion of schools in vulnerable areas into temporary relief centers for displaced residents. The President has declared a state of emergency to manage the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
Meanwhile, India has stepped in to assist, not only by providing relief materials but also by evacuating over 300 stranded Indian nationals. Indian Air Force aircraft transported these citizens from Colombo to Thiruvananthapuram, where onward travel arrangements were made. Indian special forces and helicopters were actively involved in rescue operations, with efforts continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery.
