Cyclone Ditwah: Death Toll Rises To 123, India Launches ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ For Assistance | Key Updates | World News

Hurricane Ditwah Update: Sri Lanka is grappling with the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused intense flooding and deadly landslides in many regions. The storm left a trail of destruction, paralyzing infrastructure and displacing many people. Rescue and recovery efforts continue in affected areas of the country.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has reportedly said that the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah has deeply affected communities across the country.

123 people died and many are missing in Sri Lanka after ‘Cyclone Ditwah’

According to IANS, local media reports stated that DMC’s death toll has risen to 123 in the last few days. Meanwhile, according to the Daily Mirror, authorities stated that 130 people were missing and rescue and aid efforts were continuing.

In addition, Kandy Region was the region with the highest number of casualties with 51 deaths, while 67 people are still unaccounted for. In Badulla District, 35 people were confirmed dead and 27 people were reported missing.

According to IANS, other severely affected districts include Kegalle with nine deaths, Matale with eight deaths, Nuwara Eliya with six deaths and Ampara with five deaths.

373,428 people from 102,877 families were affected by floods, landslides and strong winds.

Rescue and Aid in Sri Lanka After ‘Cyclone Ditwah’

At least 40 people, including a foreign woman, were rescued from the bus swept away by flood waters on the Kala Oya Bridge on the Anuradhapura-Puttalam road. The bus, with about 60 passengers on board, was forced to stop after rising waters pushed the bus off course, causing passengers to climb onto the roof of a nearby house for safety.

Also Read – Cyclone Ditwah Update: Rain and 70 kmph Winds Pummel Rameswaram, Tuticorin; NDRF Disbanded

India’s ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’

An IL-76 aircraft of the Indian Air Force has arrived in Sri Lanka carrying 80 personnel, including four women and four search dogs from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment to assist in ongoing operations.

The Sri Lankan Air Force announced its arrival at

India extended its support through Operation Sagar Bandhu on Friday and first aid supplies were delivered to Sri Lanka. The consignments were delivered by Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warship INS Udaigiri.

Additionally, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian citizens affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

India Prepares for Impact of Cyclone Ditwah

According to an ANI report, fourteen teams are currently deployed in sensitive coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Mayiladuthurai. While additional teams have been identified for Puducherry, ten more from 5th Battalion (Pune) and 6th Battalion (Vadodara) are heading to Chennai to support the readiness.

Headquarters NDRF continues continuous monitoring activities in coordination with IMD, NDMA, state administrations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions to ensure effective response efforts both domestically and abroad.

(with input from agencies)