Sri Lanka raises landslide alerts as cyclone deaths climb to 618
“Continuing rain has heightened landslide risks after Cyclone Ditwah, with 618 dead and 2 million affected.”
Key points
- Continuing rain has heightened landslide risks after Cyclone Ditwah, with 618 dead and 2 million affected.
- Sri Lanka rolled out compensation plans as the IMF weighed extra support.
Sri Lankan authorities issued fresh landslide warnings as rains persisted in regions devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, pushing the death toll to 618, officials said. More than two million people—nearly a tenth of the country’s population—have been affected by flooding and landslides.
The Disaster Management Centre reported that unstable hillsides in the central highlands and north-western midlands remained at risk. Military aircraft and helicopters were deployed to deliver relief to cut-off communities.
Authorities said over 75,000 homes were damaged, with close to 5,000 destroyed, while 209 people remained missing. The government unveiled a compensation package for rebuilding, and the central bank ordered lenders to reschedule loans for affected residents.
Colombo is seeking additional international support. The IMF said it is considering an extra $200 million to aid reconstruction, in addition to a $347 million tranche due later this month under the existing bailout program.
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