Cyclone Ditwah Update: Sri Lanka is grappling with the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which has unleashed intense flooding and deadly landslides across multiple districts. The storm has left a trail of destruction, crippling infrastructure, and displacing many individuals. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing across the affected areas of the country.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reportedly said that the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah has deeply affected communities across the nation.
123 Dead, Several Missing In Sri Lanka After ‘Cyclone Ditwah’
According to ANI, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry tomorrow evening. It has killed 123 people in Sri Lanka, with another 130 reported missing.
The Kandy District has recorded the highest number of casualties, reporting 51 deaths, while 67 individuals are still unaccounted for. In Badulla District, 35 deaths have been confirmed, with 27 people reported missing.
As per IANS, other regions severely affected include Kegalle with nine deaths, Matale with eight, Nuwara Eliya with six, and Ampara with five.
A total of 373,428 people from 102,877 families have been impacted by floods, landslides, and powerful winds.
Rescue And Relief In Sri Lanka After ‘Cyclone Ditwah’
At least 40 people, including a foreign woman, were rescued from a bus that was swept away by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road. The bus, which had around 60 passengers on board, was forced to halt as rising waters pushed it off course, prompting passengers to climb onto the roof of a nearby house for safety.
Also Read- Cyclone Ditwah Update: Rain & 70 km/h Winds Pummel Rameswaram, Tuticorin; NDRF Deployed
India’s ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’
An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft reached Sri Lanka with 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), including four females and four sniffer dogs, along with disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment to aid ongoing operations.
India expanded its support on Friday through Operation Sagar Bandhu, with the first set of relief material handed over in Sri Lanka. The consignments were delivered by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline warship INS Udaigiri.
In addition, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian nationals impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant carried out Search and Rescue sorties in Sri Lanka, supporting affected individuals.
#WATCH | Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant carried out Search and Rescue sorties in Sri Lanka today, supporting people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this difficult time, working together to save lives and extend… pic.twitter.com/LMqVlMXPZ7
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2025
Tamil Nadu Weather Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah approaches closer to the coastal areas.
1- Forecast For Saturday (November 29)
Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at many places over Tamil Nadu and over Puducherry and Karaikal area with thunderstorm and lightning at one or two places.
Furthermore, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with extremely heavy rain at one or two places is likely to occur over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu districts and Puducherry and Karaikal area.
2- Forecast For Sunday (November 30)
Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at many places over Tamil Nadu and over Puducherry and Karaikal area, with thunderstorms along with lightning at some places.
Heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with extremely heavy rain at one or two places is likely to occur over Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts.
3- Forecast For Monday (December 1)
Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvallur district.
Special Bulletin No. 16 pic.twitter.com/J2Nl1Yt0Zn
— IMD-Tamilnadu Weather (@ChennaiRmc) November 29, 2025
India Braces For Cyclone Ditwah’s Impact
According to an ANI report, fourteen teams are currently stationed across vulnerable coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Mayiladuthurai. Additional teams have been designated for Puducherry, while ten more from the 5th Battalion (Pune) and 6th Battalion (Vadodara) are heading to Chennai to bolster preparedness.
HQ NDRF remains engaged in continuous monitoring in coordination with IMD, NDMA, state administrations, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other agencies to ensure efficient response efforts both domestically and internationally.
(with agencies’ inputs)
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