Colombo (Sri Lanka) [Sri Lanka], December 8 (HBTV): Sri Lanka continues to reel under the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the death toll rising to 627 and several hundred people still missing, the Daily Mirror reported on Sunday, citing the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The cyclone has unleashed relentless rain, flash floods and landslides across the island, pushing river levels to historic highs, submerging towns and damaging critical infrastructure.
According to Daily Mirror, 190 individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue teams persist with operations amid challenging conditions. The severe weather has affected all 25 districts, impacting 2,179,138 people from 611,530 families.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply said that the assessment of damage to houses will begin on Monday. The evaluation will be carried out by a committee appointed under the Presidential Secretariat, with a focus on identifying households eligible for government support.
Amid the crisis, India continues to assist Sri Lanka through rescue and relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu. A statement from the Sri Lankan Army noted that a medical team of 73 personnel from the Indian Army, which arrived on December 2, has been providing continuous support.
In Mahiyanganaya, the Indian Army has set up a fully functional field hospital from December 5 to support affected communities. The hospital is equipped to provide essential treatment for injuries, illnesses and other emergency health needs arising from the disaster. Staffed by doctors, nurses and rapid-response units, it is offering outpatient care, minor surgeries and emergency services.
In a post on X, the Indian Army said its field hospital has treated more than 1,250 people, conducted major emergency surgeries and inducted three Bailey Bridges to boost relief efforts and help restore critical connectivity damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. (ANI)