Colombo [Sri Lanka], November 29 (ANI): The High Commission of India in Colombo on Saturday set up an emergency help desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist Indian citizens stranded due to Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused severe air traffic disruptions and widespread delays.
“@IndiainSL is assisting stranded Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. In the wake of severe air traffic disruptions, Indian passengers facing difficulties are being provided food, water and other assistance,” the High Commission posted on X.
Sri Lanka has appealed for international support as the death toll from heavy rains and flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 123, with another 130 people reported missing, according to Al Jazeera. The extreme weather has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes and driven almost 44,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, Indian aircraft delivered more than 20 tonnes of essential relief material, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). These teams have been positioned to support Sri Lankan authorities with search and rescue operations and to provide immediate humanitarian assistance in affected regions.
“#OperationSagarBandhu standing strong with the people of Sri Lanka! Two aircraft carrying 20+ tonnes of relief supplies and NDRF teams landed in Colombo early this morning, ready to support ongoing search and rescue efforts,” the High Commission wrote on X.
Although Cyclone Ditwah was moving toward neighboring India to the north on Saturday, landslides continued to impact the central district of Kandy, located about 115 km (70 miles) east of Colombo. Several sections of the main access road were reported to be underwater.
DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said relief operations have been intensified with the deployment of thousands of personnel from the army, navy and air force. “Relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway,” Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo.
Flooding has also prompted evacuation orders for residents living along the banks of the Kelani River, which flows into the Indian Ocean from Colombo.
India was the first nation to respond, sending two planeloads of relief material, while an Indian warship already docked in Colombo for a planned goodwill visit donated its rations to support victims of the disaster. (ANI)
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