Cyclone Ditwah left behind trail of destruction in Sri Lanka; India provides humanitarian aid to island nation

Cyclone Ditwah crossed Sri Lanka, but its aftermath has been devastating. The Disaster Management Centre said 193 people are confirmed dead and 228 remain missing. Massive flooding and landslides have affected nearly one million people, leaving over 1 lakh 47 thousand homeless in shelters. Flood alerts continue for the Kelani and Mahaweli rivers, while 206 roads, 10 bridges and several rail lines are damaged. Power crews are restoring electricity, though repairs to a fallen 132 kV pylon will take longer.

India has begun repatriating its citizens stranded in Sri Lanka, with the High Commission of India in Colombo coordinating evacuation flights by the Indian Air Force and commercial airlines. The effort comes as India expands Operation Sagar Bandhu, after Cyclone Ditwah caused severe floods and landslides. Meanwhile, rescue operations are ongoing with two NDRF teams deployed in Kochhikade and Badulla regions.