Sri Lanka Declares State of Emergency Amid Devastating Floods
Sri Lanka has plunged into a state of emergency as the death toll from catastrophic flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah climbed to 153 confirmed fatalities. The island nation's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially declared the emergency on Saturday in response to the widespread destruction caused by the cyclone, with nearly 200 people still unaccounted for.
Rising Casualties and Widespread Impact
According to the latest reports from Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre, 191 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue despite challenging conditions. The cyclone, which first struck Sri Lanka on Wednesday, has affected a staggering 774,724 people from 217,263 families, highlighting the massive scale of this natural disaster.
Authorities have relocated approximately 100,898 individuals to 798 emergency shelters as floodwaters continue to rise across the country. The severe weather conditions, including intense rainfall and subsequent landslides, have been battering the island since November 17, creating one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory.
Massive Rescue Operations Underway
President Dissanayake has ordered the deployment of more than 20,000 military personnel to assist in rescue and relief operations. These efforts are proceeding despite significant obstacles including damaged infrastructure, widespread power outages, and communication breakdowns across affected regions.
Authorities have issued red-alert landslide warnings for eight high-risk districts and high-risk flood alerts for several major rivers. Emergency services are advising people living downstream of these waterways to evacuate immediately as water levels continue to rise dangerously.
International Assistance Mobilized
The Sri Lankan government has made an urgent appeal for international assistance to cope with the escalating humanitarian crisis. Official spokespeople confirmed that both Sri Lankan expatriates and foreign nationals can contribute to disaster relief efforts through designated bank accounts.
Donation details are available at Sri Lanka's embassies and foreign missions worldwide, according to Daily Mirror reports. The government emphasized that every contribution will help provide essential supplies and support to the hundreds of thousands affected by this catastrophe.
Meanwhile, meteorological authorities warn that Cyclone Ditwah is likely to move toward India's southern coastal Tamil Nadu state by early Sunday, potentially disrupting flight services and education in some regions of neighboring India.
