Many houses destroyed, thousands of people in emergency shelters and at least 130 dead – that is the result of cyclone “Ditwah”, which swept across Sri Lanka. A state of emergency applies nationwide and rescue work is in full swing.
Many people have died in a cyclone in the island state of Sri Lanka. According to authorities, the death toll rose to at least 130. More than 170 people were still missing, said the head of the disaster control center. The authorities assume that the numbers will continue to rise – relief workers have not yet been able to reach many towns in the interior of the country. Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a nationwide state of emergency.
According to civil protection, around 44,000 people whose houses were destroyed by days of heavy rain were taken to state emergency shelters. The army is supporting the ongoing relief operations. Boats and helicopters from the armed forces were used to rescue people from the flood areas.
Rivers overflowed their banks
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, causing severe flooding and landslides. Flooding recently increased in low-lying areas, prompting authorities to order an evacuation from the banks of the Kelani River, which flows from Colombo to the Indian Ocean. After it overflowed its banks on Friday evening, hundreds of residents took refuge in emergency shelters.
President Dissanayake directed tourism authorities to ensure essential services for foreign tourists affected by the storms, according to Indian newspaper The Hindu. Airlines announced that there were flight cancellations.
India sends help
Large neighboring country India sent a planeload of relief supplies to Sri Lanka on Saturday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the flood victims and assured that his country is ready to provide further aid if necessary. Meanwhile, “Ditwah” moved away from Sri Lanka towards India.
