The severe weather triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread devastation across Sri Lanka, leading to a grim tally of human loss. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll has risen to 153, with at least 191 people still missing as of Sunday. The island nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the cyclone, battling heavy rainfall, swelling floodwaters, and persistent landslides that have severely disrupted daily life across multiple districts.
Widespread Impact and Displacement
The latest official figures from the DMC paint a dire picture of the humanitarian situation:
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Affected Individuals: A staggering 774,724 individuals from 217,263 families across all 25 districts have been affected by the disaster.
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Shelter: Over 100,898 people from 27,494 families are currently housed in 798 evacuation centres nationwide, as authorities rush to provide relief and ensure the safety of displaced residents.
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Challenges: Rescue and coordination efforts in the worst-hit areas continue to be complicated by widespread communication challenges and blocked access routes. The President’s Media Division confirmed that telecommunications operators have agreed to prioritize emergency calls to help ease network congestion.
India Boosts Rescue and Relief Efforts
Indian rescue teams are working in coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy, Army, Police, and local first responders to assist flood-affected communities. India’s assistance has been stepped up under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’.
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Aerial Support: Four Indian helicopters are engaged in rescue missions nationwide, including two operating from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
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Rescue: Indian Navy helicopters successfully rescued eight people trapped by rising floodwaters in the Pannala region, where several homes had become inaccessible.
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Relief: Evacuations, supply delivery, and emergency support efforts are underway across the island, with India dispatching essential relief materials and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel.
