India renders aid to Sri Lanka

India has become the first responder in providing all help after Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka, killing at least 56 people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced relief supplies and condoled the loss of lives as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Moreover, aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and stealth frigate INS Udaigiri will be deployed for rescue and relief operations. The indigenous aircraft carrier and INS Udaigiri had recently docked in Colombo for port calls on November 25-26 as part of preparations for the International Fleet Review 2025, scheduled for November 30. Prime Minister Modi said India stands ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves. 
“My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families,” he said.
“In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves,” he said. Modi announced the MAHASAGAR or Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions vision for India’s engagement with the Global South during his visit to Mauritius in March. Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the launch of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to help Sri Lanka deal with deaths and destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
“Operation Sagar Bandhu commences. INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway,” he said.
Sri Lankan Defence Ministry officials said INS Vikrant was formally requested for the use of its aircraft for ongoing rescue and relief operations amid severe weather conditions caused by the cyclonic storm Ditwah , which hit the eastern Trincomalee area. Meanwhile, the death toll due to floods and landslides in the island nation has risen to 56 and 21 remain missing, as it announced a public holiday on Friday other except for those involved in essential services.
At least 46 deaths have been recorded within the past 72 hours as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the island, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
In view of the emergency, the Government declared Friday a public holiday other except for those involved in essential services.
Disaster management officials said that 43,991 people from 12,313 families have been affected by the extreme weather conditions.
The irrigation department warned residents in low-lying northern parts of Colombo near the Kelani River to evacuate, saying the area could face its worst flooding in the island nation’s history.
“It is unlikely this situation will change. We expect the Kelani River’s water levels to exceed those recorded during the 2016 floods,” Director General Ajith Gunasekara told reporters.
He urged residents in vulnerable locations to secure essential items, including educational certificates, vehicle documents and valuables, before relocating to safer ground.
The central Matale district recorded the highest rainfall in the 24 hours ending 6 am Thursday, receiving 540 mm, authorities said.
Cyclonic storm Ditwah is located near Sri Lanka’s eastern district of Trincomalee, the meteorology department announced on Friday morning. Ditwah was centred about 50 km south of Trincomalee and was seen to be moving north and northwestwards.
Heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds will continue island-wide, with very heavy rainfall above 200 mm expected in several provinces, and up to 150 mm in areas, including Trincomalee in the east, Badulla in central Galle and Matara in the southern province, the weather bureau said.
Winds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80-90 kmph, are likely across much of the country.
SriLankan Airlines said several inbound planes had been diverted to Kochi and Trivandrum in India and the Mattala airport in the southern province.
The government is considering making an international appeal for help at a meeting to be convened by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya later in the day, sources said.
The railway department said all services have been suspended until further notice from 6 am on Friday. In the central province town of Gampola, the railway station was completely submerged with several carriages trapped underwater, officials said.  The risk of floods has increased further due to the opening of spill gates at all of the reservoirs throughout the island.

145 dead in Thailand floods

Bangkok: The death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached at least 145, officials said on Friday, as receding waters started to reveal devastating damage across the region. More than 1.2 million households and 3.6 million people have been affected by floods triggered by heavy rains in 12 southern provinces, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Friday.