Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka, Heads Toward Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Sri Lanka and southern India are bracing as Cyclone Ditwah continues its destructive path. The storm, which struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on November 28, has claimed at least 123 lives, triggered widespread flooding and landslides, and displaced nearly 44,000 people into emergency shelters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the victims and assured swift assistance to affected communities. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for four districts in Tamil Nadu and orange alerts for five others, warning residents of extremely heavy rainfall and high-speed winds as the storm approaches. Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast on November 30, moving parallel to the coastline as a coastal bypass rider.

India Ramps Up Relief Efforts in Sri Lanka

Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India deployed 80 NDRF personnel, four rescue dogs, and specialized equipment including inflatable boats, hydraulic tools, and medical kits to assist flood-hit communities in Sri Lanka. The rapid response involved C-130 and IL-76 aircraft delivering over 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo.

The Sri Lankan Navy and Army rescued 68 passengers stranded on a bus roof for 29 hours in the Northwestern Province after floodwaters swept the vehicle onto a bridge. Despite the storm moving toward India, residual heavy rainfall continues to affect northern Sri Lanka, leaving widespread infrastructure damage and power outages, including shutdowns of major hydropower plants Kotmale and Rantambe.

Precautionary Measures in India

Authorities in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh are preparing for Cyclone Ditwah with emergency shelters, NDRF deployment, and flight cancellations. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected across coastal regions, with isolated areas receiving extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm. Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema have also been issued warnings for heavy rainfall over the coming days.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo to assist stranded Indian citizens, providing food, water, and other essential support.

As Cyclone Ditwah approaches the Indian coastline, meteorologists urge residents to stay indoors, follow official advisories, and avoid travel. Relief teams remain on high alert to respond to emergencies, emphasizing preparedness as the storm nears landfall.