Colombo, Dec 5: The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has climbed to 486, with hundreds still missing as rescue and relief operations continue across the island nation, officials said on Friday.
The cyclone triggered severe flooding, landslides, and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, leaving more than 1.71 lakh people displaced. Authorities confirmed that over 51,000 families are now sheltered in 1,231 relief centres set up in affected districts.
India has expanded its humanitarian mission under Operation Sagar Bandhu, dispatching additional Bailey bridge systems, water purification units, and medical supplies. The Indian Air Force’s C‑17 Globemaster aircraft delivered modular bridge systems to reconnect cut‑off communities, while relief teams continue to provide food, medicines, and evacuation support.
Officials said the Indian assistance reflects the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aimed at supporting Sri Lanka during one of its worst climate emergencies in decades. International organisations have also mobilised aid, with relief efforts focused on restoring essential services and preventing secondary flooding as heavy rains persist.
Observers noted that the disaster underscores the vulnerability of South Asian nations to extreme weather events, with calls for stronger regional cooperation on disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
