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Cyclone Ditwa: More than 190 people have died due to cyclone Ditwa in Sri Lanka. While 228 are missing.
Cyclone Ditwa: More than 190 people have died in Sri Lanka after being hit by Cyclone Ditwa. Sri Lanka continued relief and rescue operations on Sunday with the help of India after the devastating floods, landslides and devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa. More than 190 people have died in Ditwa. According to the latest data released by Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) at 12 noon on Sunday, 193 people have died and 228 are missing since Thursday. DMC said that 9,68,304 people from 2,66,114 families have been affected. Meanwhile, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, along with the Indian Air Force, continue to assist Sri Lankan authorities to save lives on war footing. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on social media that @NDRFHQ troops are continuing relief operations in Sri Lanka in close coordination with local authorities.
Mi-17 V5 helicopter deployed in Colombo
India sent two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel to the island nation under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reaffirming the spirit of ‘neighbourhood first’. Two Chetak helicopters aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant also took part in the rescue operations. The Indian High Commission in Colombo posted on social media that on 29 November 2025, @IN_R11Vikrant’s Chetak helicopter rescued a family of four trapped on a rooftop. They were safely airlifted and taken to a safe place. #OperationSagarbandhu continues and India stands with the people of Sri Lanka. The Indian Air Force has deployed Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for rapid humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The Indian Air Force posted on social media that IAF transport aircraft have been deployed for mass evacuation of Indian citizens. Two transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force – C-130J and IL-76 – airlifted about 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo on Saturday under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Emergency number +94 773727832 issued
INS Sukanya has left Visakhapatnam with more humanitarian aid and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon, officials said on Saturday. According to an official gazette issued by the Sri Lankan government on Friday and Saturday, a state of emergency has been declared across the island. With the declaration of emergency, the government has given discretion to district secretaries to spend up to Sri Lankan rupees 5 crore. Flood warnings have been issued in most of the eastern suburbs of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and people have been warned to evacuate the area and go to safe places. Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige said that this warning has been issued due to the water level of Kelani River rising to a dangerous level. The Indian High Commission in Colombo is also providing assistance to the Indian passengers stranded here. Any distressed Indian national requiring assistance at airports or in any part of Sri Lanka can contact the emergency number +94 773727832 (also for WhatsApp).
Also read: India’s generosity! IAF delivers 21 tonnes of relief material amid floods and landslides in Sri Lanka
