Cyclone Ditwah: Sri Lanka Declares Emergency As Death Toll Reaches 153; High Commission Helps Stranded Indian Tourists

 

 

Colombo : Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency throughout the island nation on Saturday after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation as it left a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure.

The death toll stood at 153, with 191 missing since Thursday, said the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) at Colombo at 7 pm (local time) on Saturday. Nearly 78,000 people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters, the DMC said. The country is experiencing widespread flooding, landslides and severe service disruptions, including flight cancellations.

 

The government closed schools and offices and postponed examinations. The death toll is expected to rise. Social media posts on Saturday showed several areas affected by overnight mudslides that authorities have yet to reach.

Sri Lanka has been battered by severe weather since last week. Conditions worsened Thursday, with heavy downpours that flooded homes, fields and roads and triggered landslides mainly in the tea-growing central hill country. Most reservoirs and rivers have overflowed, blocking roads. Authorities stopped passenger trains and closed roads in many parts of the country after rocks, mud and trees fell on roads and railway tracks. By Friday, water flowing downstream from severely affected areas began to inundate areas around the capital, Colombo, which experienced comparatively less rainfall. Authorities say that Ditwah, which developed in the seas east of Sri Lanka, is likely to move toward India's southern coast by Sunday.

 

India dispatched two search and rescue teams, comprising 80 rescuers, and sent aid to support ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, as Sri Lanka battled the aftermath of the cyclone, a top Indian diplomat met stranded Indians at the Colombo airport, provided food and water, and conveyed that New Delhi would facilitate their swift travel back home.

“Acting High Commissioner @DrSatyanjal met stranded Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. Acting HC assured them of all possible assistance. He conveyed that the Govt of India will facilitate their swift travel back to India,” the Indian High Commission said in a post on X. The post on X shared photos that showed Acting High Commissioner Dr Satyanjal Pandey meeting distressed passengers.

 

The High Commission also provided a link in a separate post for all Indian passengers stranded in Sri Lanka to register their details. “Indian passengers can also register themselves at the Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo,” it said.

 

Any distressed Indian citizen at the airports or any part of Sri Lanka in need of assistance may reach out to the emergency No +94 773727832. (For WhatsApp also), the High Commission said.

Earlier in the day, the High Commission said: “In the wake of severe air traffic disruptions, Indian passengers facing difficulties are being provided food, water and other assistance” to those in need. New Delhi is not just taking care of its nationals but also was the first responder to the distressed neighbour.

 

Under its Operation Sagar Bandhu, India on Saturday sent around 21 tonnes of relief materials in two military transport aircraft, a day after delivering the first tranche of over six tonnes of essential supplies.

India also sent two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel even as two Chetak helicopters on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joined the rescue efforts. A total of around 27 tonnes of relief materials delivered by air and sea and more is on the way, he said on social media.