Sri Lanka has significantly increased military presence in cyclone-affected areas, deploying tens of thousands of troops to aid regions devastated by the storm that has claimed 627 lives, the army announced Monday.
The disaster, caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has impacted over two million people, nearly 10% of the population, making it the island’s worst cyclone this century.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Sri Lanka anticipates more heavy monsoon rains on Monday, with over 50 millimeters expected in various locations, including the severely affected central region. The DMC has also issued landslide warnings.
The DMC has reported 627 fatalities and 190 people missing since intense rains triggered landslides and floods on November 27.
The disaster management agency has urged residents to “take adequate precautions to minimize damage from temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.”
Army chief Lasantha Rodrigo stated that 38,500 security personnel are engaged in recovery and clean-up efforts in flood and landslide-affected areas, nearly doubling the initial deployment.
“Since the disaster, security forces have rescued 31,116 distressed individuals,” Rodrigo stated in a pre-recorded message.
Army spokesman Waruna Gamage mentioned that additional troops have been deployed as operations shift from rescue to recovery.
“We have nearly doubled our deployment to assist in rebuilding roads, bridges, and cleaning flood-contaminated drinking water wells,” Gamage told AFP.
The central tea-growing region suffered the worst, reporting 471 deaths, official data reveals.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, describing the disaster as the most significant challenge for any Sri Lankan government, visited affected areas last week to oversee relief efforts.
He announced a recovery plan offering 10 million rupees ($33,000) for victims to purchase land in safer areas and rebuild.
The government will also provide livelihood support and cash aid for kitchen utensils, bedding, and food purchases.
The cost of the relief package remains uncertain as Sri Lanka recovers from its worst economic crisis in 2022, when it ran out of foreign exchange necessary for vital imports.
Dissanayake stated the government cannot cover reconstruction costs alone and has sought international aid, including from the International Monetary Fund.
The disaster damaged over 75,000 homes, with nearly 5,000 completely destroyed. A senior official previously estimated recovery and reconstruction expenses might reach US$7 billion.
