Cyclone Ditwah impact: Scenes of damage, resilience across Sri Lanka; India on edge

Updated On Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka with fierce winds and relentless rain, triggering floods, landslides across multiple districts; death toll crossed 130.

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A man is seen pushing a makeshift raft along a flooded street in Ambatale on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Saturday after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed torrential rains and powerful winds across the country, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides, especially in central and eastern hilly regions. The death toll climbed to 132, while 176 others remain unaccounted for. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the severe weather has damaged over 15,000 houses and forced nearly 78,000 people to take refuge in government-run relief camps, said a report by AFP.(AFP Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

A man is seen pushing a makeshift raft along a flooded street in Ambatale on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Saturday after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed torrential rains and powerful winds across the country, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides, especially in central and eastern hilly regions. The death toll climbed to 132, while 176 others remain unaccounted for. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the severe weather has damaged over 15,000 houses and forced nearly 78,000 people to take refuge in government-run relief camps, said a report by AFP.(AFP Photo)

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Two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel were sent by India to Sri Lanka for relief, along with a total of around 27 tons relief material delivered by air and sea. Cyclone Ditwah took shape over the southeast Bay of Bengal, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm before curving toward Sri Lanka’s eastern coast. It ultimately made landfall near Trincomalee. Floodwaters swamped towns including the capital and disrupted daily life, with schools, transport, and businesses shut down.(AFP Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

Two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel were sent by India to Sri Lanka for relief, along with a total of around 27 tons relief material delivered by air and sea. Cyclone Ditwah took shape over the southeast Bay of Bengal, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm before curving toward Sri Lanka’s eastern coast. It ultimately made landfall near Trincomalee. Floodwaters swamped towns including the capital and disrupted daily life, with schools, transport, and businesses shut down.(AFP Photo)

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In the midst of acute devastation, India triggered operation Sagar Bandhu, its naval relief mission to support Sri Lanka. The operation focused on delivering essential supplies, medical aid, and technical assistance to affected coastal regions. Many personnel were also deployed in Sri Lanka to help in ongoing rescue efforts.(Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

In the midst of acute devastation, India triggered operation Sagar Bandhu, its naval relief mission to support Sri Lanka. The operation focused on delivering essential supplies, medical aid, and technical assistance to affected coastal regions. Many personnel were also deployed in Sri Lanka to help in ongoing rescue efforts.(Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

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An Indian Air Force plane carrying approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items landed in Colombo on Saturday morning.(Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

An Indian Air Force plane carrying approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items landed in Colombo on Saturday morning.(Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has imposed a nationwide emergency as the island grapples with severe flooding and widespread damage, according to news agency PTI. Meteorologists confirmed that Cyclone Ditwah moved out of Sri Lankan territory on Saturday after battering the country’s infrastructure, and is now advancing toward the Indian coastline. Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has opened an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist Indian citizens affected by the storm, said a report by ANI.(Photo: X/@BuzzFlare)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has imposed a nationwide emergency as the island grapples with severe flooding and widespread damage, according to news agency PTI. Meteorologists confirmed that Cyclone Ditwah moved out of Sri Lankan territory on Saturday after battering the country’s infrastructure, and is now advancing toward the Indian coastline. Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has opened an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist Indian citizens affected by the storm, said a report by ANI.(Photo: X/@BuzzFlare)

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Meanwhile, another cyclone, “Seynar”, that formed over the eastern Indian Ocean, spun toward Indonesia. As it neared Sumatra Island, the system unleashed torrential rain, violent gusts and landslides that cut off villages, damaged roads and triggered widespread flooding. Several coastal communities were forced to evacuate as rivers burst their banks, while emergency teams worked through power outages and communication blackouts to reach stranded residents.(Reuters Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

Meanwhile, another cyclone, “Seynar”, that formed over the eastern Indian Ocean, spun toward Indonesia. As it neared Sumatra Island, the system unleashed torrential rain, violent gusts and landslides that cut off villages, damaged roads and triggered widespread flooding. Several coastal communities were forced to evacuate as rivers burst their banks, while emergency teams worked through power outages and communication blackouts to reach stranded residents.(Reuters Photo)

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Residents are seen moving a motorcycle amid flash floods in Indonesia's Aceh province on Friday after days of devastating flooding across Southeast Asia killed more than 300 people in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Koto, a fast-building tropical storm that swept into Thailand from the Gulf, brought intense rain and fierce winds that disrupted daily life across several provinces.(AFP Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

Residents are seen moving a motorcycle amid flash floods in Indonesia's Aceh province on Friday after days of devastating flooding across Southeast Asia killed more than 300 people in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Koto, a fast-building tropical storm that swept into Thailand from the Gulf, brought intense rain and fierce winds that disrupted daily life across several provinces.(AFP Photo)

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An aerial view shows a home surrounded by flood waters in Kangar in northern Malaysia's Perlis state on Friday, as severe flooding affected thousands of people in the region following days of heavy rain. Flash floods swamped low-lying towns, while gusts damaged homes, power lines and farmland.(AFP Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

An aerial view shows a home surrounded by flood waters in Kangar in northern Malaysia's Perlis state on Friday, as severe flooding affected thousands of people in the region following days of heavy rain. Flash floods swamped low-lying towns, while gusts damaged homes, power lines and farmland.(AFP Photo)

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After the devastation endured by Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move into the southwest Bay of Bengal and approach the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining Andhra Pradesh by early Sunday. By Saturday afternoon, the system was positioned roughly 80 km east of Jaffna in Sri Lanka, 140 km southeast of Vedaranniyam, 170 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 280 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and about 380 km south of Chennai.(AFP Photo)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 05:00 PM IST

After the devastation endured by Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move into the southwest Bay of Bengal and approach the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining Andhra Pradesh by early Sunday. By Saturday afternoon, the system was positioned roughly 80 km east of Jaffna in Sri Lanka, 140 km southeast of Vedaranniyam, 170 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 280 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and about 380 km south of Chennai.(AFP Photo)

News / Photos / Cyclone Ditwah impact: Scenes of damage, resilience across Sri Lanka; India on edge

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