Sri Lanka confronts a mounting humanitarian crisis as official figures released Thursday confirm the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has reached 479 individuals. The nation’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported an additional 350 persons remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations persist.
The catastrophic weather system has inflicted damage on a staggering scale, directly impacting over 1.6 million citizens across 455,405 households. Structural assessments reveal complete destruction of 1,289 residential buildings, with more than 44,500 dwellings sustaining partial damage. The agricultural infrastructure has suffered particularly severe blows, with damage reported to 1,777 water tanks, 483 dams, 1,936 irrigation canals, and 328 farm access roads according to the commissioner-general of essential services.
The international community has initiated response measures to support relief efforts. Chinese leadership has formally expressed condolences to the island nation while activating emergency humanitarian assistance protocols. The aid package includes financial support alongside essential supplies such as life preservation equipment, temporary shelters, and bedding materials.
Simultaneously, the Asian Development Bank has authorized an immediate $3 million disaster relief grant to facilitate emergency operations throughout affected regions. This financial injection aims to bolster ongoing rescue initiatives and provide critical support to displaced populations struggling with the aftermath of one of Sri Lanka’s most devastating natural disasters in recent history.