• Source:JND
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Cyclone Ditwah Updates: India has stepped up emergency assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation reels from severe floods, landslides, and storm damage triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. Indian Navy ships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri on Friday handed over urgently needed relief supplies in Colombo, marking the formal commencement of Operation Sagar Bandhu, New Delhi’s latest humanitarian outreach mission in the region.

PM Modi Sends Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka and conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the deadly cyclone.

In a post on X, he wrote, “My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort, and swift recovery of all affected families.”

The Prime Minister added that India had “urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support”, reaffirming that New Delhi would continue assisting Colombo in accordance with the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also posted on X, confirming the operational rollout, “Operation Sagar Bandhu commences. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway.”

The Sri Lankan Navy said the indigenous aircraft carrier, which was in Colombo for port calls on November 25–26 ahead of the International Fleet Review 2025, was formally requested for support as weather conditions worsened. After that, INS Vikrant’s aircraft were placed on standby for search, rescue, and relief missions in the eastern Trincomalee region, where Cyclone Ditwah first made landfall.

Death Toll Rises To 56; Over 43,000 People Affected

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the death toll from floods and landslides has climbed to 56, with 21 people still missing. More than 43,991 individuals belonging to 12,313 families have been affected over the past 72 hours as torrential rain continued to batter several districts.

ALSO READ: Cyclone Ditwah Claims 46 Lives In Sri Lanka, 23 Missing As Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides; India On High Alert

The impact of Cyclone Ditwah disrupted regional air traffic, with five Colombo-bound flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport on Friday due to poor visibility and severe weather. Authorities declared Friday a public holiday, excluding essential services. Train services were halted, schools remained shut, and the Colombo Stock Exchange announced an early trading halt due to persistent heavy rain.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Weather: Chennai, Thanjavur, Vellore, Other Districts On Alert For Heavy Rain As Cyclone Ditwah Nears Landfall

Both Sri Lankan and Indian officials advised residents of low-lying coastal areas to remain alert, as weather models indicated the possibility of further intensification once Ditwah fully enters the Bay of Bengal. Emergency crews in Sri Lanka continue search-and-rescue operations, while Indian agencies prepare for potential flooding, power disruptions, and transportation delays along the east coast.

With inputs from agency.

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