300 Indians Stranded at Colombo Airport for 3 Days as Cyclone Ditwah Grounds Flights

Cyclone Ditwah has caused major disruption across Sri Lanka, severely impacting flight operations and leaving around 300 Indian passengers stranded at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport for the last three days. With many flights to Chennai and other South Indian cities cancelled due to the cyclonic storm, the stranded passengers — including 150 Tamilians travelling from Dubai via Sri Lanka — are facing acute shortages of food, water, and essential supplies.

Sri Lanka has been battered by strong winds and relentless rain, resulting in 123 deaths and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Airlines, including IndiGo, have issued advisories stating that flights to and from Colombo, Jaffna, Pondicherry, Tuticorin, Trichy, Chennai, and Madurai may be disrupted due to dangerous weather conditions.

Passengers at the Colombo airport have raised concerns over the lack of basic facilities, food, and drinking water availability as the cyclone continues to hinder operations.

Tamil Nadu Government Steps In

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has asked the Public Department Secretary to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Colombo to ensure assistance for stranded Tamilians. Discussions have also been held with the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka to arrange for the safe return of the passengers.

India Extends Humanitarian Aid Through Operation Sagar Bandhu

As Sri Lanka battles the severe cyclone aftermath, India has launched a humanitarian relief mission under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

A C-130J Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 12 tonnes of relief material landed in Colombo. This comes in addition to earlier consignments delivered by:

• INS Vikrant – 4.5 tonnes of dry rations
• INS Udaygiri – 2 tonnes of fresh rations + essential supplies

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said the relief efforts reaffirm India’s Neighbourhood First policy and commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in this crisis.

Cyclone Ditwah Latest Position

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Cyclone Ditwah is currently located near Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal.
The system is expected to intensify slightly and move toward the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast by November 30.

The IMD has issued warnings for:

• Extremely heavy rainfall
• Strong winds
• Urban flooding across Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry

High tides and strong coastal winds have already hit parts of Tamil Nadu as the cyclone approaches.