New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest sympathies towards the Sri Lankan people mourning the loss of their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. He declared that India has dispatched relief supplies and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Sri Lanka as part of 'Operation Sagar Bandhu'.

"I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Sri Lankan populace who have suffered losses due to Cyclone Ditwah. I wish for the safety, solace, and quick recovery of all affected families. In a show of solidarity with our nearest maritime neighbor, India has promptly sent relief supplies and crucial HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu," PM Modi shared on X.

"We are prepared to provide additional aid as the situation develops. Following India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, India remains steadfastly supportive of Sri Lanka during this challenging time," he further stated.

In related news, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar noted that the Indian Naval Ships (INS) Vikrant and INS Udaigiri delivered relief supplies in Colombo.

"Operation Sagar Bandhu is underway. INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri have successfully handed over relief supplies in Colombo. Further actions are in progress," EAM Jaishankar announced on X.

Reports from Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirm that as a result of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, 56 individuals have tragically lost their lives, 14 have sustained injuries, and 21 are still unaccounted for.

The DMC indicated that 43,991 individuals from 12,313 families have been affected by the severe weather, as reported by Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror. The storm has completely destroyed four homes and partially damaged 666 others across the nation.

Sri Lanka remains under extreme weather conditions, with heavy rainfall, rising floodwaters, and ongoing landslides disrupting daily life across various regions.

According to airport authorities, 15 incoming flights have been diverted from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) since 10:55 PM on Thursday due to hazardous landing conditions caused by the severe weather. Flights were redirected to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Trivandrum, and Cochin.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cyclone alert for the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjacent areas of south Andhra Pradesh early Friday. The IMD reported that Cyclone Ditwah, located over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjacent southwest Bay of Bengal, has been moving north-northwest at a speed of 10 kmph over the past six hours, and as of 08:30 IST today, it is situated approximately 40 km southwest of Trincomalee, 100 km northwest of Batticaloa, 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal (India), 430 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 530 km south of Chennai.

"It is expected to continue its north-northwest trajectory across the Sri Lankan coast and the adjacent southwest Bay of Bengal, reaching near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning on November 30," the IMD stated.