Category: Featured Headlines

The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah that left a trail of destruction in Sri Lanka climbed to 410, with 336 people still missing, according to the latest Disaster Management Center (DMC) report.

The cyclone’s fury has left 1,466,615 people affected across 25 districts, turning homes into rubble and forcing thousands into shelters.

The central highlands have borne the brunt of the tragedy: Kandy reports 88 deaths and 150 missing, while Nuwara Eliya records 75 fatalities and 62 missing persons.

Coastal and northern districts, including Puttalam, Mannar, and Gampaha, also face severe devastation.

In total, 407,594 families have been impacted, with 20,271 homes completely destroyed and 64,483 partially damaged.

Relief efforts are underway, with 233,015 people currently in safety centers, as authorities race against time to provide food, clean water, and medical care.

Officials warn of heightened disease risks as floodwaters stagnate, and recovery is expected to be a long, arduous process.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (01) to convey condolences and pledge further assistance as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka and assured continued support through Operation Sagar Bandhu, under which Indian rescue teams and relief supplies have already been dispatched to affected regions.

He noted that India remains committed to helping its neighbor navigate the crisis.

President Dissanayake thanked Modi for India’s rapid response, including the deployment of emergency personnel and humanitarian aid.

He said Sri Lankans greatly appreciate the timely and effective support provided since the cyclone made landfall.

Modi also assured that India would maintain its assistance in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and its role as the region’s “first responder” during emergencies.

He pledged continued cooperation as Sri Lanka moves from immediate relief to rehabilitation, restoration of essential services, and rebuilding of livelihoods.

Both leaders also agreed to stay in close contact to coordinate ongoing relief and recovery efforts.

The British government has announced that it will provide US$ 890,000 (£675,000) worth of urgent humanitarian support for Sri Lanka.

The announcement comes as Sri Lanka recovers from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

The funds will be directed through the Red Cross, the United Nations and local partners to support ongoing rescue and relief operations.

The British High Commission in Colombo said, “the UK will provide $890,000 (£675,000) of urgent humanitarian support – working with the Red Cross, UN and local partners to deliver emergency supplies and life-saving care.”

India has granted rapid clearance for Pakistan’s aid flight carrying relief material to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, foreign media reported today.

Indian media quoting officials confirmed that the request for overflight was submitted by Pakistan at approximately 1300 hrs (IST) on Monday, seeking same-day permission to fly over Indian airspace. Given the purpose of the request–to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka–India processed the request.

Permission was officially granted and communicated to the Government of Pakistan through official channels at 1730 hrs (IST) on Monday, with the clearance processed within a minimal four-hour notice period, Indian officials said.

Officials emphasised that this clearance was a purely humanitarian gesture.

Sri Lanka has suffered from massive floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Over 350 people have been confirmed dead across Sri Lanka as authorities continue to battle rising floodwaters in parts of the capital, Colombo.

India has sent 53 tons of relief material to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu as part of its emergency response to Cyclone Ditwah.

According to an official release, India has handed 9.5 tons of emergency rations from two Indian Navy Ships in Colombo; deployed three Indian Air Force aircraft for airlifting another 31.5 tons of relief materials including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food items, medicines and surgical equipment, two BHISHM cubes along with five persons medical team for on-site training, and 80 persons special Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist in rescue efforts.

Additionally, New Delhi has dispatched another 12 tons of relief supplies on board Indian Navy Ship Sukanya (at Trincomalee), bringing the total to 53 tons.

A Senior Scientist at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Dr. Wasantha Senadeera, stated that the public should not return to their residences until officials from the NBRO’s District Offices conduct inspections and issue their official conclusions.

He specifically advised individuals in highly vulnerable areas who are currently staying in temporary safe locations not to return until the relevant officials have arrived, provided clear instructions, and confirmed that it is safe to do so.

Accordingly, Dr. Senadeera appealed to residents in severely unsafe conditions to continue remaining in evacuation centres.

He further noted that the landslide warnings and Red Alerts (evacuation notices) issued for 70 Divisional Secretariat Divisions across seven districts have been further extended.

Dr. Senadeera added that, as areas affected by heavy rainfall remain saturated with water, the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and embankment failures is expected to persist over the coming days.

He also advised the public to evacuate immediately if they observe unusual sounds from the ground or notice the sudden appearance or disappearance of water springs.