Colombo/IBNS, Nov. 28 -- At least 56 people have died in Sri Lanka as of Friday morning following days of relentless rainfall and powerful winds, even as Cyclone Ditwah continues its trajectory toward the north and northwest, edging closer to the Tamil Nadu coast.

The island nation has been battered by unusually intense downpours over the past few days, with multiple districts recording rainfall levels not seen in years.

Responding to a formal request from Colombo, India has agreed to deploy helicopters from INS Vikrant, currently docked in the Sri Lankan capital, to assist with rescue operations and relief efforts as widespread flooding worsens.

More than 12,000 families - roughly 43,000 individuals - are directly impacted, prompting ...