Sri Lankan authorities sounded a fresh alarm over potential landslides on Sunday, as relentless monsoon rains pounded areas still reeling from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Officials have termed this the island nation's most severe natural calamity in decades.
Death Toll Rises, Millions Displaced
The human cost of the disaster continues to climb. At least 618 people have been confirmed dead, with another 209 individuals still missing. Rescue operations face immense challenges in reaching isolated communities cut off by floods and landslides. On a broader scale, this crisis is part of a larger pattern of destruction across Southeast and South Asia over the past two weeks, where a series of tropical storms and monsoonal downpours have claimed at least 1,812 lives, as reported by AFP.
Within Sri Lanka, the impact is staggering. More than two million people, close to 10% of the population, have been affected. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) highlighted that continuing rains are dangerously destabilising hillsides, especially in the central mountains and north-western midlands.
Regional Crisis and Relief Operations
The chain of storms has left a trail of ruin, triggering landslides and submerging vast tracts of land from the rainforests of Sumatra to Sri Lanka's hill country. In response to the isolation of many communities, the Sri Lankan government has deployed helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to deliver essential supplies. International aid has also begun to arrive, with the Sri Lanka Air Force confirming the receipt of a planeload of relief materials from Myanmar.
The central tea-growing region has borne the brunt of the casualties. While the number of people in state-run shelters has decreased to 100,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters recede, the scale of infrastructural damage remains colossal. The DMC reports nearly 75,000 damaged homes, with almost 5,000 completely destroyed.
Government Announces Major Compensation Plan
In a significant move to support long-term recovery, the Sri Lankan government announced a comprehensive compensation plan on Friday. The plan enables survivors to purchase land in safer zones and rebuild their homes. Additional assistance will cover school supplies, household essentials, and rent for families not housed by the state. According to AFP, a compensation of one million rupees will be provided for each person killed or permanently disabled.
Cyclone Ditwah initially made landfall on November 28 before looping back over the Bay of Bengal. It unleashed some of the worst flooding Sri Lanka has seen since the early 2000s. The worst-hit districts include Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. Meanwhile, lethal landslides in the central hill country have ravaged the areas of Kandy, Badulla, and Matale.
