Cyclone Ditwah Batters Tamil Nadu And Devastates Sri Lanka, Operation Sagar Bandhu To The Rescue

Cyclone Ditwah struck on November 28, 2025, with winds up to 160 kmph, hammering Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with torrential rain, uprooted trees and widespread flooding. Thanks to swift action by the NDRF, which deployed 14 teams and evacuated over 50,000 people, India recorded no fatalities despite the chaos. Across the Palk Strait, however, Sri Lanka suffered far worse: landslides and flash floods submerged villages, turning rivers into torrents and leaving entire communities devastated.

India immediately launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, sending IAF C-130J aircraft with 20 tonnes of relief and Navy ships with another 40 tonnes of essentials. Indian helicopters evacuated hundreds from Colombo and Gampaha suburbs, while over 200 stranded Indian citizens were safely repatriated. The latest toll in Sri Lanka stands at 153 dead, 191 missing and nearly 770,000 people from 217,000 families affected, with rising rivers still posing deadly risks. Once again, India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy turned crisis into a powerful display of solidarity.