Cyclone Ditwah: Death Toll In Sri Lanka Rises To 193; NDRF On High Alert As Rain Lashes Tamil Nadu, Puducherry | Top Updates | India News
Cyclone Ditwah: As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the consequences of Cyclone Ditwah, floods have caused widespread destruction in parts of Colombo. The number of deaths in the country increased to 193. Heavy rains resulting from the hurricane caused widespread flooding and landslides on the island.
According to ANI, Al Jazeera reported that 228 people are still missing, although the death toll currently stands at 193, based on the Disaster Management Center (DMC) statement.
Emergency in Sri Lanka
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Authorities also warned that saturated mountain slopes could trigger new landslides in the coming days.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance. While India provided first aid by sending aid supplies and rescue helicopters, Japan also promised assistance.
Also Read – Cyclone Ditwah: IMD Issues Warning for THESE Parts of India – Check Forecast
NDRF on High Alert in India
As Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and heavy to extremely heavy rains lash coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched an all-out preparedness drive.
4th Battalion NDRF Deputy Commandant K Kapil on Sunday said that teams on the ground are fully equipped to deal with both flood-related emergencies and collapse-rescue operations, given the risk to old and weakened buildings due to continuous rain.
ANI quoted the official as saying: “Our teams are equipped for rescue from flood waters. We are also equipped with a collapsed structure search and rescue team because old buildings can collapse due to constant rainfall.”
IMD Gives Red Warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern Andhra Pradesh as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continues its northward path over the southwestern Bay of Bengal, moving closer to the coastline.
(with ANI entries)
