Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed catastrophic destruction across Southeast Asia, with the combined death toll in Sri Lanka and Indonesia surpassing 1,300, according to officials. Originating southeast of Sri Lanka last week, the cyclone moved slowly along the island’s coast before weakening near Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The deadly system triggered widespread floods, landslides, and infrastructure collapse, leaving lakhs of people displaced and rescue teams overwhelmed.

Top Developments on Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka: Death Toll Climbs to 465

Sri Lanka continues to suffer severe damage, with:

• 465 confirmed deaths
• 366 people still missing
• Over 1.5 million residents affected
• Estimated economic loss: $6–7 billion

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appealed for urgent international assistance, as the island nation is still recovering from its 2022 economic crisis.

The government has:

• Increased disaster compensation
• Allowed temporary import of frozen vegetables
• Distributed relief without ownership verification

Heavy rains and receding floodwaters have further slowed recovery operations.

India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu: Major Relief Support to Sri Lanka

India has initiated a significant humanitarian mission:

• Indian Air Force deployed C-130 and IL-76 aircraft
• 21 tonnes of relief material and 80+ NDRF personnel sent
• Indian Army dispatched a mobile field hospital and 70+ medical staff
• NDRF teams have rescued over 43 stranded people near Colombo

India’s support aims to restore essential services and assist families impacted by the disaster.

Indonesia: Over 755 Dead as Floods & Landslides Ravage Region

Indonesia has been hit the hardest alongside Sri Lanka.

Official updates:

• 755 people confirmed dead
• 650 missing
• Massive damage across Sumatra, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia
• Two rare tropical systems worsened monsoon flooding

Aid agencies say logistics challenges are delaying rescue operations across vast affected zones.

Tamil Nadu: Heavy Rains as Ditwah Weakens

As Cyclone Ditwah weakened into a low-pressure area, Tamil Nadu received:

• Torrential rains in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram
• Widespread flooding in residential neighbourhoods
• Heavy rainfall in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai

Chennai officials are actively:

• Pumping out water from flooded areas
• Clearing subways to avoid major traffic disruptions

Current Position of Cyclone Ditwah

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD):

• The system has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area
• Moving southwestwards along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast
• Expected to weaken further over the next 24 hours

Cyclone Ditwah stands among the most destructive weather events in recent years, significantly impacting Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India, with rescue and recovery operations likely to continue for weeks.

Originally published on 24×7-news.com.