Cyclone Ditwah Havoc in Sri Lanka: PM Modi Offers Condolences, and India Launches Major Relief Mission
The government said fresh aid would be ready if the situation worsens.
Cyclone Ditwah Havoc in Sri Lanka: PM Modi Offers Condolences, and India Launches Major Relief Mission
Cyclone Ditwah has wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka and has left a trail of death, displacement and destruction. India has launched a swift humanitarian response under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
According to Sri Lankan authorities, the cyclone’s heavy rains triggered major floods and landslides. It has killed at least 56 people, while many are still missing. Daily life came to a near standstill. Schools and government offices were closed, train services were suspended, and tens of thousands were forced to seek shelter in public facilities. Around 43,991 individuals from over 12,313 families have been affected by this calamity.
The calamity has severely devastated the central and eastern parts of the island, where flooding, overflowing rivers and mudslides washed away roads, damaged homes and disrupted transportation. In many affected regions, the rising waters displaced entire communities and damaged many houses, leaving survivors dealing with loss, fear and uncertainty.
India took prompt action in this hour of crisis. The country’s Prime Minister expressed deep condolences to the people of Sri Lanka and said he “prays for the safety, comfort and swift recovery” of all affected families. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, New Delhi dispatched relief materials and vital humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief support, which signals that India stands in solidarity with its maritime neighbour. The government said fresh aid would be ready if the situation worsens.
For relief operations some of the assets are the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which, upon request from Sri Lankan authorities, is being deployed to assist in rescue and relief work. This move highlights the intensity of cooperation and the seriousness of India’s response in helping Sri Lanka manage what is being described as one of the worst natural disasters the country has recently faced.
Beyond the raw numbers, the tragedy is heart-wrenching: the loss of loved ones, ruined homes, and lost livelihoods. For thousands displaced, the relief from India brings a ray of hope in this phase of hardship, a reminder of solidarity beyond borders. As rescue operations continue and waters recede, the focus will gradually shift towards rehabilitation and rebuilding, a long journey that will demand sustained support.
In such times of suffering and upheaval, humanitarian aid transcends politics; it becomes an expression of shared humanity. And Operation Sagar Bandhu, in response to Cyclone Ditwah, may prove to be a lifeline for many.