Cyclone Ditwah: Sri Lanka in Emergency, South India on Alert

Southern India remains on heightened alert as Cyclone Ditwah in South India continues to track northward along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline, triggering severe weather conditions and prompting emergency deployments across the region.

The alert comes just hours after Sri Lanka reported at least 159 deaths, a devastating toll that has shocked the region and pushed authorities into crisis mode.

Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu Records Rain-Related Fatalities

Tamil Nadu’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran confirmed that three people died in rain-related incidents caused by the outer bands of Cyclone Ditwah.
The state has been witnessing intermittent downpours, waterlogging, and isolated flooding across vulnerable pockets.

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Multiple Districts

On Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Chennai.
The advisory warns of light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, as the cyclone’s circulation brushes past the coast.

According to IMD’s latest update, the storm is expected to move almost directly north, maintaining a path parallel to the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline.

In a post on X, the IMD said:

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during next 24 hours… the cyclonic storm will be centered over southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 70 km and 30 km from the coastline by noon and evening of today respectively.”

Cyclone Ditwah: NDRF Teams Deployed as Emergency Preparedness Rises

With coastal areas experiencing strengthening winds and unpredictable rain bands, India has intensified emergency preparedness.

Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force’s (NDRF) 6th Battalion were airlifted from Vadodara to Chennai on Sunday.
The teams are equipped with Flood Water Rescue (FWR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) gear, enabling rapid deployment in case of severe flooding, building collapse, or urban waterlogging.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have also instructed district collectors to stay on constant alert as the weather system evolves.

Sri Lanka Reels Under Destruction as Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Widespread Flooding

Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the brutal aftermath of the cyclone.
The country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the death toll has risen to 159, with many more feared missing amid flash floods and landslides.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency, appealing for international assistance as rescue teams struggle against widespread devastation.

One-Third of the Country Without Power or Water

The situation remains dire:

• 20,000+ homes damaged

• 1,22,000 people moved to temporary shelters

• Over 8,33,000 displaced and in urgent need of support

• One-third of the country still without electricity or running water

Northern Colombo remains severely flooded as the Kelani River continues to rise.
A DMC official told AFP:

“Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the Kelani River.”

Internet connectivity has also taken a hit in multiple provinces.

Operation Sagar Bandhu: India Steps Up as First Responder

In a swift humanitarian response, India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, becoming the first country to send relief to the storm-struck island nation.

India has already dispatched 27 tonnes of relief material to Colombo with the help of the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and the NDRF.

Key Deployments Under Op Sagar Bandhu

• Mi-17 V5 helicopters positioned in Colombo for rapid relief

• C-130 and IL-76 aircraft landed with 21 tonnes of aid, 80+ NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment

• Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant carrying out aerial rescue operations

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar called India’s mission “a commitment to regional solidarity and immediate humanitarian support.”