India rushes aid to Sri Lanka as Cyclone Ditwah leaves trail of devastation, PM Modi condoles
Cyclone Ditwah has battered Sri Lanka, killing dozens and displacing thousands as torrential rain triggered major landslides and floods. India rushed emergency assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with PM Narendra Modi expressing solidarity and readiness to scale up support. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri have begun delivering relief materials in Colombo.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed "deep condolences” to the people of Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed severe destruction, claiming at least 56 lives. He announced that New Delhi has already dispatched emergency supplies and humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families".
Reiterating India’s commitment to supporting its neighbour, he added the country is prepared to scale up assistance depending on Sri Lanka’s evolving needs. He said, "In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves."
He further stressed that India’s response is guided by its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, noting that "India continues to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need."
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the commencement of the relief operation, stating, "Operation Sagar Bandhu commences. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway.”
INS Vikrant to join rescue efforts
India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, will assist with flood rescue operations in Sri Lanka, officials said. The vessel had docked in Colombo from November 25–26 ahead of the International Fleet Review 2025, according to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Defence officials noted that Sri Lanka formally requested the carrier’s aircraft to support relief and rescue work after Cyclone Ditwah battered the eastern Trincomalee region and triggered widespread flooding.
Severe destruction across Sri Lanka
Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka on Friday, killing 46 people and leaving 23 missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The weather authorities warned that the system could intensify over the next 12 hours as it moves across the island.
Much of the devastation was caused by landslides after several districts recorded over 300 mm of rainfall within a single day. The eastern and central regions bore the worst impact.
Authorities said nearly 44,000 people were moved to schools and community shelters, with emergency teams rescuing several families from rooftops as waters rose rapidly.
Schools across many districts were shut, train services halted, and the Colombo Stock Exchange suspended trading early on Friday as heavy rain persisted.
Tamil Nadu on alert
With the storm system moving closer to India’s coast, the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai issued a three-hour yellow alert on Friday for parts of Tamil Nadu, advising residents to remain cautious as weather conditions evolve.