Cyclone Ditwah: India Leads Relief Efforts as Storm Devastates Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu
As of November 30, 2025, Cyclone Ditwah has triggered widespread devastation across Sri Lanka and India’s Tamil Nadu state, resulting in significant loss of life and prompting a major international relief operation led by India. The storm, currently centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, has already claimed at least three lives in Tamil Nadu and a staggering 153 in Sri Lanka.
India Launches ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ for Sri Lanka
In response to the escalating crisis in Sri Lanka, India initiated “Operation Sagar Bandhu” on Sunday, deploying personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist local authorities with relief efforts. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the deployment via X, highlighting the coordinated response to the severe landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Five teams from the 6th battalion of the NDRF were airlifted from Vadodara to Chennai to bolster emergency preparedness as heavy rainfall continues to batter Tamil Nadu.
Air Force Mobilized for Evacuation and Aid Delivery
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is playing a crucial role in both evacuating Indian nationals from Sri Lanka and delivering essential aid. According to an IAF announcement on X, Mi-17 V5 helicopters have been positioned in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, for swift Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. “IAF transport aircraft are earmarked for large-scale evacuation of Indian nationals, with multiple missions planned from Trivandrum and Hindan,” the IAF stated. Alongside evacuation efforts, the IAF is also airlifting critical relief supplies, including “Bhishm cubes and medical supplies,” to support affected communities.
Tamil Nadu Braces for Impact, NDRF Teams Deployed
Within India, Tamil Nadu is facing the brunt of Cyclone Ditwah’s impact. A senior official stated that 28 disaster response teams, comprising personnel from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and NDRF, have been mobilized. An additional ten teams have been dispatched from other states to augment the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the hardest-hit areas.
Travel Disrupted as Storm Intensifies
The cyclone has significantly disrupted travel plans in the region. Two IndiGo flights between Chennai International Airport and Jaffna International Airport in Sri Lanka were cancelled early Sunday due to the storm’s impact. The disruption underscores the severity of the situation and the challenges facing rescue and relief operations.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring the cyclone’s path and intensity. Continued rainfall and the potential for further landslides and flooding pose a significant threat to both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, necessitating a sustained and coordinated response to mitigate the ongoing crisis.
