As severe weather events continue to disrupt lives globally, Sri Lanka is currently grappling with the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah. With a rising death toll and tens of thousands displaced, the island nation has made a call for international solidarity and aid, reflecting both the urgency of their plight and the spirit of resilience embedded within the community.
Sri Lanka has urgently appealed for international assistance as it faces the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in at least 123 confirmed fatalities and approximately 130 people still unaccounted for. The cyclone’s heavy rains have wreaked havoc across the country, damaging nearly 15,000 homes and forcing nearly 44,000 individuals into state-run temporary shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
As the cyclone’s remnants continue to affect Sri Lanka, reports indicate ongoing landslides in the central district of Kandy, about 115 kilometers (70 miles) east of the capital, Colombo, where key access roads have become submerged. The DMC’s Director-General, Sampath Kotuwegoda, emphasized the government’s enhanced relief operations, which have mobilized thousands from the army, navy, and air force to assist in rescue efforts and deliver necessary supplies to those affected.
Mahesh Gunasekara, Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, highlighted the plight of numerous individuals stranded in flooded regions as rescue teams strive to reach them. He noted the growing demand for relief efforts, stating that the water levels have remained elevated for two consecutive days despite the cyclone gradually moving away from the area. Emergency notifications have been issued for residents near the banks of the Kelani River, urging them to evacuate as the river overflowed on Friday evening, leading hundreds into arrangements for temporary shelter.
The Sri Lankan government initiated a formal request for international aid, calling for donations, particularly from the Sri Lankan diaspora, to assist the nearly half a million citizens impacted by the floods. In a proactive response, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya engaged with diplomats in Colombo to communicate the urgency of the situation and seek assistance from their respective governments.
India has been quick to support its neighbor, dispatching two aircraft loaded with relief supplies, while an Indian naval vessel already stationed in Colombo as part of a goodwill mission contributed its rations to help those affected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences for the losses in Sri Lanka and reaffirmed India’s readiness to provide additional aid as the situation develops.
Although rainfall has diminished in many areas, including Colombo, sections of northern Sri Lanka still face lingering precipitation due to the cyclone’s residual effects. DMC officials project that flood levels may surpass those recorded in 2016 when 71 lives were lost across the nation. This week’s casualties mark the highest toll stemming from adverse weather in the past year, highlighting the pressing need for sustained support and resilience in the face of such natural disasters.
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