Ditwah Devastates Delta Districts: Massive crop loss, Infrastructure damage and Expanded NDRF deployment

Cyclone Ditwah continues to unleash widespread devastation across Sri Lanka and southern India, triggering severe floods, heavy rainfall, casualties, and extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture. The storm, which has been hovering close to the Tamil Nadu - Puducherry coastline while dumping relentless rain over Sri Lanka, is expected to influence weather conditions in Andhra Pradesh for the next two days, prompting high alert across coastal and southern districts.

Sri Lanka remains the worst affected, battling one of its most catastrophic natural disasters in recent years. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), more than 193 people have been confirmed dead, with reports from several agencies placing the toll even higher as rescue teams continue to reach remote flood-hit areas. Over 9.6 lakh people from 2.66 lakh families have been impacted, and entire settlements lie submerged following days of intense rainfall. Landslides, river overflows, and damaged bridges have cut off access to several regions. In response, the Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency, granting district secretaries emergency spending powers to accelerate relief and rehabilitation.

India has stepped in with large-scale humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reinforcing its “Neighbourhood First” policy. Two specialized NDRF urban search-and-rescue teams comprising 80 personnel with high-capacity equipment have been deployed in Sri Lanka, working alongside local authorities in rescue and evacuation missions. The Indian Air Force has positioned Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for rapid Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, while naval assets including Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant have carried out dramatic rooftop rescues, including saving a family of four stranded in rising floodwaters. Nearly 21 tonnes of relief material ranging from medical kits to Bhishm water-purification cubes have already been delivered, and INS Sukanya is en route from Visakhapatnam with additional aid supplies.

Back home, Tamil Nadu continues to face intense rainfall and flooding as Ditwah's rainbands sweep across its northern and delta regions. The state has recorded three deaths in rain-related incidents, two in wall collapses in Tuticorin and Thanjavur and one electrocution in Mayiladuthurai. Heavy rain has devastated agriculture, with nearly 57,000 hectares of farmland inundated across delta districts. Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Villupuram, Rameswaram, and Chennai are among the severely affected areas, with several low-lying localities reporting waist-deep flooding. Karaikal received 19 cm of rainfall in 24 hours, while Sembanarkoil recorded 17 cm, adding to the strain on local drainage systems. The heavy downpour has also resulted in the deaths of 149 cattle and damaged over 230 huts.

To support rescue and relief efforts within Tamil Nadu, 38 disaster response teams, including NDRF and SDRF units, have been deployed, with 10 additional teams arriving from other states. These teams are conducting evacuations, clearing fallen trees and electric poles, restoring road access, and shifting vulnerable families to temporary shelters. The state control room remains in constant communication with district administrations, while Chief Minister M. K. Stalin continues to monitor evolving field conditions.

In Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours as the cyclone remains active near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline. The system, centered near 11.4°N and 80.6°E, has drifted slightly northwards, increasing the probability of intensified rainfall in southern Andhra districts. Home Minister Anita conducted a video conference with district collectors from Nellore, Tirupati, Kadapa, Chittoor, and Annamayya, directing them to remain fully alert, issue timely warnings, and ensure that no loss of life occurs. Field teams have been instructed to immediately clear fallen trees, hoardings, and other obstructions from major roads, while rapid-response units are prepared to restore electricity and shift residents to relief shelters if necessary. Electricity Minister Gottipati Ravikumar has ordered power department staff to remain on 24/7 standby with pre-positioned restoration kits based on past cyclone protocols.

Cyclone Ditwah, named by Yemen after the scenic Detwah Lagoon in Socotra continues to move northward at around 7 kmph, hovering 60–70 km off the northern Tamil Nadu coast. Although IMD forecasts indicate that the system may gradually weaken into a deep depression, its widespread rainbands will continue to affect Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh in the coming days. With floodwaters yet to recede in many areas and preliminary damage assessments still underway, authorities across the region remain on high alert, working round the clock to minimize further loss of life and property.