Sri Lanka is grappling with a devastating humanitarian crisis after Cyclone Ditwah triggered severe floods and landslides, killing at least 618 people and leaving hundreds missing. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has issued fresh warnings, citing ongoing monsoon rains that continue to destabilize hillsides, particularly in the central mountainous region and the northwestern midlands. Across Asia, the death toll from climate-induced disasters has surpassed 1,800, with neighboring countries also struggling to cope.

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Massive Destruction Across Sri Lanka

Over two million people—nearly 10% of Sri Lanka’s population—have been affected by the cyclone and subsequent floods. Helicopters and planes are being deployed to deliver emergency aid to communities cut off by landslides, while foreign assistance continues to arrive. The Sri Lanka Air Force confirmed receipt of relief supplies from Myanmar on Sunday, the latest batch in ongoing international support efforts.

• Deaths: 618 confirmed (464 in the central tea-growing region)
• Missing: 209 people unaccounted for
• Homes damaged: 75,000+, including 5,000 destroyed
• People in state-run camps: 100,000 (down from 225,000 at peak)

Officials estimate that recovery and reconstruction could cost up to $7 billion, while the IMF is considering a $200 million aid package to assist with rebuilding. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that although the economy had recovered from previous shocks, it is insufficient to withstand this latest disaster without external help.

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Regional Impacts Across Asia

The destructive impact of Cyclone Ditwah extends beyond Sri Lanka:

• Indonesia (Sumatra Island): 900+ dead; residents in Aceh Tamiang forced to wade through floodwaters and navigate debris for aid.
• Thailand: 276 deaths reported.
• Malaysia: 2 deaths, with heavy flooding reported in Kuala Lumpur and a thunderstorm warning for four states and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
• Vietnam: 2 deaths; weeks of rain have submerged homes and triggered deadly landslides in mountainous regions.

Many affected communities are facing shortages of clean drinking water, skyrocketing food prices, and damaged infrastructure, compounding the humanitarian crisis. Survivors in Indonesia recalled the 2004 tsunami, which killed over 160,000 people in Aceh alone, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather.

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Ongoing Concerns and Emergency Measures

Authorities continue to monitor unstable hillsides in Sri Lanka’s central and northwestern regions, warning that additional monsoon rains could trigger further landslides. Relief efforts are ongoing, with helicopters delivering supplies and foreign aid shipments arriving daily. Governments across the region are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid high-risk areas while emergency teams assess the extent of damage and provide support to displaced populations.