Sri Lanka Grapples With Ditwah Aftermath; India, Neighbours Rush Aid As Death Toll Climbs To 390

Sri Lankans began a slow and difficult return to normalcy after Cyclone Ditwah left a trail of destruction across the island. In northern Colombo, where residents are accustomed to seasonal flooding, many

underestimated the storm’s force and were caught off guard as water surged rapidly, rising as high as two storeys inside some buildings.

The mountainous central region suffered the worst damage, with scores buried alive in mudslides triggered by record rainfall — more than 500 millimetres in some areas. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency and pledged to “build back better” with international assistance.

India has conveyed its solidarity as Sri Lanka faces a severe humanitarian crisis. In a call with President Dissanayake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the people of India stand with Sri Lanka during this difficult moment and assured continued support through Operation Sagar Bandhu, which is delivering rescue teams and relief supplies in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, President Dissanayake expressed deep gratitude for India’s swift response and welcomed the deployment of search-and-rescue teams, medical assistance and urgently needed supplies.

The President’s Office on Monday announced a special fund for relief and reconstruction with contributions from both public and private sectors. The death toll from floods and landslides has climbed to 390.

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in Parliament after the government refused to extend the sitting to allow a full debate on the cyclone’s fallout. SJB MP Kabir Hashim accused the government of failing to act on advance warnings about severe weather. The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) said the opposition had been allotted time until 12.30 pm but that the House needed to adjourn early to facilitate nationwide relief coordination.

Alongside India, China has pledged USD 1 million in emergency aid, while Nepal has announced a contribution of USD 200,000.

Working with the Sri Lankan Air Force, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and IAF Mi-17s have carried out extensive rescue missions, airlifting stranded civilians including pregnant women, infants and the critically injured. Those rescued include nationals from Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, the UK, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. More than 150 people have been rescued so far, with operations continuing.

India has also evacuated over 2,000 of its citizens stranded in Sri Lanka via special IAF sorties and commercial flights.