Cyclone Ditwah: Over 330 dead, hundreds missing in Sri Lanka; India ramps up aid

At least 334 people have been confirmed dead, and 370 reportedly remain missing in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), as per media reports. The worst-hit district is Kandy, with 88 deaths and 150 people unaccounted for. Other severely affected areas include Badulla (71 deaths), Nuwara Eliya (68 deaths), and Matale (23 deaths), alongside significant casualties and damage.

Widespread Destruction and Humanitarian Crisis

Cyclone Ditwah, one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest recent natural disasters, has submerged towns, swept away major bridges, and caused critical infrastructure collapse due to unprecedentedly high river levels. The DMC reported that 11,18,929 people from 3,09,607 families across the country have been affected. In response, Starlink reportedly announced it is providing free connectivity to all new and existing customers in the impacted areas through December 2025 to aid communication and coordination.

India’s Swift Humanitarian Assistance

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka with humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and relief efforts. Under the operation, the Indian Air Force airlifted over 80 NDRF personnel, 21 tonnes of relief material and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the continuous dispatch of disaster response supplies, highlighting India’s prompt and coordinated support to its neighbour.

The scale and speed of these operations underscore the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, as international aid continues to assist thousands affected by severe floods and infrastructure damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.