VOI World/ Desk
India has launched large-scale evacuation efforts to bring home citizens stranded in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah disrupted flight operations and caused severe flooding across the island nation. Over 320 Indians were flown from Colombo to Hindon near Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday using two Indian Air Force aircraft. Another 398 passengers returned on Air India flights to Delhi and Mumbai as airlines gradually resumed operations.
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka set up an emergency help desk at Colombo airport and said every stranded Indian would be assisted to return at the earliest. Severe delays had persisted due to airport staff being unable to report for duty amid rising water levels and flight diversions. Travel firms have also begun issuing refunds or adjusting bookings for travellers who had planned holidays in Sri Lanka or South East Asia.
Sri Lanka remains a key destination for Indian tourists, with over 4.16 lakh Indian visitors recorded last year. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority expects the number to grow, though the cyclone may temporarily slow demand.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Ditwah retained its strength as it moved northwards on Sunday, though the system began to gradually slow. By afternoon, it was positioned about 100 km from Cuddalore, Karaikal, and Puducherry, and 170 km south-southeast of Chennai. The India Meteorological Department said the storm would continue tracking parallel to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coasts before weakening further.
IMD has forecast isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall along Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema over the next four days. Wind speeds, which touched 50–70 kmph, are expected to reduce as the system loses strength. However, rough sea conditions and the risk of localised flooding remain in place.
Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are maintaining high alert as the cyclone’s outer bands continue to bring intense rain and strong winds to several districts.
