Andhra Tourists Face Airport Ordeal After Cyclone Disruption
Nearly 25 Telugu tourists from Andhra Pradesh find themselves in a distressing situation in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah severely disrupted air services, leading to multiple flight cancellations and leaving them stranded at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport.
The group, which includes both travelers and people returning to their hometowns for brief vacations from districts including Nellore and Kadapa, has released an urgent video appeal to the Andhra Pradesh government requesting immediate evacuation. They described facing what they called "inhuman" conditions during their unexpected stay in Sri Lanka.
Passenger Accounts Reveal Harrowing Experience
In the emotional video appeal, a passenger from Nellore detailed the sequence of events that began unfolding on November 26. He explained that he had originally boarded a flight from Kuwait with a scheduled transit stop in Sri Lanka before continuing to Chennai and eventually to his hometown.
However, the journey took an unexpected turn when his flight experienced significant delays, was eventually diverted to another airport, and later brought back to Colombo. The passenger recounted how they were given snacks and asked to collect their luggage before being directed to board a packed bus arranged outside the airport.
"The bus was overcrowded. We were treated like beggars," the distressed traveler stated, adding that the journey to Colombo airport took approximately three hours. Upon reaching the airport, the passengers found themselves without basic necessities including food, water, or proper accommodation arrangements.
Government and Diplomatic Response
Responding swiftly to the crisis, Andhra Pradesh IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to coordinate with authorities in both Colombo and Chennai. The minister took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation.
"I have taken note of this worrying situation. Requesting @OfficeOfNL to immediately coordinate with the authorities in Colombo and Chennai and ensure that our stranded passengers from Nellore receive all necessary support and are brought home safely at the earliest," Lokesh stated in his post.
Meanwhile, officials from AP Bhavan in New Delhi have also intervened and are currently liaising with central agencies to facilitate the group's safe return. The state government confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining constant communication with the families of the stranded passengers.
Emergency Help Desk Activated
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has established an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist affected Indian nationals. In an official communication on X, @IndiainSL provided emergency contact details for distressed travelers.
Stranded Indian citizens can seek assistance through the emergency helpline +94 773727832, which is also available on WhatsApp. The mission confirmed that it is providing essential support including food and water to stranded Indian passengers while coordinating travel arrangements as airport operations gradually stabilize.
With Cyclone Ditwah continuing to disrupt travel across the island nation, concerted efforts are underway to arrange the earliest possible repatriation for the stranded Telugu tourists from Andhra Pradesh.
