Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst natural disasters in recent times as catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have claimed at least 334 lives, according to the latest reports from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The situation remains dire with nearly 400 people still missing and rescue operations continuing across affected regions.
International Response and Indian Assistance
As the island nation struggles to cope with the scale of the disaster, international support has begun pouring in. India has stepped up as a key responder, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announcing the delivery of substantial aid. Another 10 tons of disaster response supplies have been airlifted to Colombo, including specialized BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training and support.
"Another @IAF_MCC C130J carrying approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training & support has landed in Colombo," Jaishankar confirmed in his social media update, highlighting India's continued support to its neighboring country during this crisis.
Widespread Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Although the intense rainfall that battered the region for a week has finally subsided, the aftermath presents severe challenges. More than one million people have been affected by the flooding, with many low-lying areas in the capital Colombo still underwater. The government has warned that the situation remains critical in regions where floodwaters have not receded.
The cyclone's unprecedented rainfall has caused extensive damage to homes, critical infrastructure, and livelihoods across Sri Lanka. Authorities have expressed growing concerns about public health emergencies and access to clean water in the affected areas.
Medical Crisis and Landslide Threats
The disaster has triggered a parallel medical emergency, with blood supplies dropping to dangerously low levels. Lakshman Edirisinghe, the blood bank chief, reported that only 236 units of blood were collected on Saturday - a alarming figure compared to the daily requirement of 1,500 units.
"Due to the floods and heavy rainfall, we were unable to carry out our mobile blood donation campaigns," Edirisinghe explained, urgently appealing to citizens to donate blood at hospitals and blood banks to address the critical shortage.
Adding to the concerns, authorities have issued warnings about potential additional landslides in the coming days. Saturated mountain slopes remain unstable, posing continued threats to communities in hilly regions even as rescue teams work tirelessly to reach stranded populations and deliver essential supplies.
Relief operations continue on war footing as Sri Lanka confronts this multi-faceted crisis, with international agencies joining hands to support the affected populations and help the country recover from one of its most devastating natural disasters in recent history.
