At least fifty-six people have lost their lives after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed devastation across Sri Lanka, with rescue teams searching for twenty-one missing individuals in the aftermath of torrential rains and severe flooding.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response
The powerful cyclonic storm, which originated in the Bay of Bengal, has affected more than 44,000 people across multiple regions. Areas including Badulla and Colombo experienced some of the heaviest rainfall seen in years as the system intensified the southwest monsoon.
Sri Lankan authorities have deployed nearly 20,500 army personnel for extensive search-and-rescue operations. The government has taken emergency measures including closing schools and some public offices, while most passenger train services have been cancelled due to significant infrastructure damage.
Storm Tracking Towards Indian Coast
Following its destructive path along Sri Lanka's coastline, Cyclone Ditwah is now projected to move toward southern Indian states. Meteorological departments predict the storm will reach Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh by Sunday.
Indian authorities have issued red and orange alerts for several areas, including parts of Tamil Nadu's delta and northern coastal belt, along with the city of Chennai. Officials are warning of potential flooding and transport disruption, while advising fishermen to remain ashore until the severe weather passes.
Regional Preparedness and Warnings
The cyclone is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall from Friday, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas. Emergency services in both countries are on high alert as the storm continues its trajectory.
This weather event highlights the increasing severity of monsoon conditions in the region, with climate experts noting the unusual intensity of this year's cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal.
