Floods and landslides claim 56 lives in Sri Lanka

Posted on by

Unrelenting cyclonic winds and heavy rainfall continue to strike the South Asian island nation, impacting more than 40,000 individuals.

Sri Lankan authorities reported on Friday that a minimum of 56 individuals have died and more than 20 remain unaccounted for, following floods and landslides caused by continuous heavy rain across the island nation.

Over the past two days, the island has been severely impacted by rainfall attributed to Cyclone Ditwah, resulting in one of the country’s most severe weather-related catastrophes in recent memory.

Local officials stated that 43,991 people have been impacted by the severe weather, with at least 600 homes sustaining partial damage.

Rail services have been halted, and five flights bound for Colombo were rerouted to Thiruvananthapuram, a city in southern India.

Throughout the island, relief and rescue efforts are underway, though they are being hindered by electricity outages, landslips, and blocked roads.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on X that India has sent immediate humanitarian aid and disaster relief supplies to Sri Lanka, extending his sympathies to those who perished in the floods and landslides. 

Additionally, New Delhi has assented to deploy helicopters from the INS Vikrant, presently stationed in Colombo, to assist Sri Lanka’s current rescue and relief missions.

The Sri Lankan Air Force utilized a Bell-212 helicopter to save 13 individuals trapped on a bridge.

Due to substantial rainfall and elevated discharges from a reservoir, the nation’s irrigation department has issued a warning regarding a high flood risk along the Kelani River, which runs alongside Colombo.

The primary cricket stadium in the city is being prepared to serve as an emergency disaster hub, capable of housing up to 3,000 displaced residents.

Furthermore, the Sri Lankan Tourist Board has established a helpline for tourists impacted by the floods. The country’s busiest tourism period commences in late November.

Cyclone Ditwah has diminished in strength over Sri Lanka and is now advancing towards the southeastern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Elsewhere, exceptionally heavy rains have also claimed 90 lives in Indonesia and impacted millions across Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.