Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Ditwah approaches Tamil Nadu coast after causing 153 deaths in Sri Lanka
- Red alert issued for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with 70-80 kmph winds
- 28 disaster response teams deployed, 6,000 relief camps set up
- India sends relief teams and supplies to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu
Cyclone Ditwah Threatens Indian Coast
India is on high alert as Cyclone Ditwah moves toward the southeastern coast, with its strongest impact expected on Sunday. The storm has already claimed 153 lives and left 191 missing in Sri Lanka, where over 20,000 homes were destroyed.
Authorities in Tamil Nadu have deployed 28 disaster response teams and established 6,000 relief camps. Chennai airport cancelled 54 flights, while railways activated a war room to coordinate emergency response.
Red Alert and Weather Forecast
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, and Chengalpattu districts.
At 10pm Saturday, the cyclone was positioned 80km southeast of Vedaranyam and 290km south of Chennai. It’s expected to travel north-northwest, passing approximately 25km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by Sunday evening.
“It is a cyclone with maximum wind speed presently 70 to 80 kmph. We are expecting same wind speed to prevail until Sunday morning,” said M Mohapatra, director general of IMD.
“These wind speeds are not that high but they can have large-scale impact on standing crops. There can be inundation of low lying areas. Storm surge of half to 1m is likely tonight.”
Preparations and Impact
Mohapatra confirmed Ditwah will not cross the Indian coast but will pass offshore, affecting coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh.
“There can be widespread impact on traffic. Fishermen should not venture out because sea condition is high,” he warned.
Most areas in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh-Yanam and Rayalseema will receive light to moderate rainfall, with isolated locations experiencing extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20cm.
India’s Assistance to Sri Lanka
India deployed two specialized NDRF teams to Sri Lanka on Saturday and sent approximately 21 tonnes of relief materials via military transport aircraft under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The Indian high commission in Colombo established an emergency help desk at Bandaranaike International Airport. “In the wake of severe air traffic disruptions, Indian passengers facing difficulties are being provided food, water and other assistance,” the high commission stated.
Sri Lanka’s Emergency Situation
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency as the death toll reached 153 with 191 people still missing. The Disaster Management Centre reported over 20,000 homes destroyed and 108,000 people displaced to government shelters.
Another 798,000 people require assistance due to flooding. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency powers to manage recovery efforts.
Over 24,000 troops have saved 2,453 people and relocated 43,000 to 488 relief centres. In Pannala, flooding swept away 25 residents from an elderly care home, with 14 successfully rescued.
Sri Lanka’s Meteorology department director general Athula Karunanayake said direct cyclone impacts have eased but indirect effects will persist, with heavy rainfall continuing in several provinces.
“The NDRF headquarters is conducting continuous monitoring and coordination with the India Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority, state governments, the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies to ensure a seamless response both at home and abroad,” said NDRF DIG(Operations) Mohsen Shahedi.
