Bridges washed away, electricity supply disrupted and trains stopped… Cyclone Ditva wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, more than 80 dead.

Sri Lanka is currently going through a major humanitarian crisis. Cyclone Ditva caused such rain in the country that no one had even imagined. Due to continuous rains, low-lying areas were submerged and the soil in the mountains became so loose that landslides started at many places.

The saddest thing is that more than 80 people have lost their lives, while 34 people are still missing. About 1.5 lakh people are affected by this crisis and 14,000 people are living under pressure in 195 relief camps.

Matale received 540 mm of rain in just 24 hours. This rainfall is many times more than the normal limit. Nearly 1000 mm of rain in the last 10 days devastated entire areas. Scientists say that even 150 mm of rain can cause landslides, and here more than 500 mm of water has rained.

The biggest concern is in Colombo and Gampaha, where Kelani and Attangalu rivers have reached above the danger level. People have been asked to immediately go to a safe place and keep important documents safely.

The storm has also badly damaged Sri Lanka’s infrastructure. Three major bridges – Moraghakanda Main Bridge, Elahera Bridge and Kumara Ella Bridge were completely washed away. Due to broken power lines, electricity is not being supplied to 25–30 percent of the country. Trains have been canceled and many exams have been postponed.

Also read: Cyclone Ditwah: Roads broken, houses buried under debris, 56 people died…see the devastation caused by floods and landslides in Sri Lanka

Seeing the situation serious, the President invoked emergency law and declared electricity, fuel, hospitals and water as “essential services”. R of Colombo. Premadasa Stadium has been converted into a relief centre, where 3,000 people can be provided shelter.

India immediately extended a helping hand and started Operation Sagar Bandhu. Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri reached Sri Lanka with relief material. These include 4.5 tonnes of dry ration, 2 tonnes of fresh food items and other essential items.

Experts have described this as an “unprecedented situation” and said that the coming two days may be more difficult. The storm is still near Trincomalee and heavy rains are continuing.

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