Cyclone Ditwah has caused severe devastation in Sri Lanka, with the death toll surpassing 300 as the storm gradually weakens. The cyclone unleashed torrential rains and landslides, especially in the eastern and central parts of the island, leading to massive flooding and infrastructure damage. Rescue operations remain in full force with emergency teams and the military actively evacuating stranded residents, including many Indians caught in flood-affected areas.

The intense rainfall, which exceeded 300mm in some regions over 24 hours, triggered deadly landslides and submerged entire villages. Approximately 44,000 people have been relocated to safer grounds in schools and public shelters. Many families were trapped on rooftops before being rescued by helicopters and boats deployed by the armed forces. Essential services like schools and train operations were suspended, while the Colombo Stock Exchange closed early due to adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the storm moved towards the southern coast of India, prompting red alerts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. Authorities in India have issued warnings to fishermen and coastal residents to stay indoors and avoid travel as the cyclone brings heavy rain and strong winds. Over 15,000 homes have been reported damaged in Sri Lanka, with tens of thousands more people affected. The government and disaster management agencies continue extensive relief efforts to provide aid, manage evacuations, and restore normalcy.

Cyclone Ditwah, named after a lagoon in Yemen, serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of severe weather events in the region. The coordinated rescue operations, despite difficult terrain and blocked roads, highlight the importance of preparedness and swift emergency response in minimizing casualties during natural disasters. For stranded nationals, including Indians in Sri Lanka, evacuation has been a priority, ensuring their safety amid the ongoing crisis.

This disaster underscores the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure resilience and long-term climate adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerabilities in cyclone-prone areas. Continual updates and vigilance remain critical as aftereffects of Cyclone Ditwah linger in Sri Lanka and nearby Indian states, affecting tens of thousands of lives.