Pakistan offers help to Sri Lanka as cyclone toll rises to 153
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• Over 20,000 homes destroyed; nearly 800,000 people need assistance
• Islamabad stands in solidarity with Sri Lankan govt and people: PM
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered to extend support in rescue and relief efforts as death toll from the landslides and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 153 in Sri Lanka, with 191 others missing and more than half a million affected nationwide.
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance as the extreme weather system has destroyed more than 20,000 homes, sending 108,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported. A further 798,000 people required assistance after being temporarily displaced by the floods, DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives caused by severe floods and landslides, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered Pakistan’s support in rescue and relief efforts. “Our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and prayers for the missing,” the prime minister, in a post on X handle, said.
In his X post, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people and government of Sri Lanka in this hour of grief. “We stand ready to extend any support in rescue, recovery, and relief efforts as a symbol of our solidarity with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters,” he added.
The statement comes after the Sri Lankan government issued an appeal for international aid and urged Sri Lankan diaspora abroad to make cash donations to support the affected communities.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency powers, granting him sweeping authority to manage the aftermath of the devastation caused by a week of torrential rain across the island.
Kodippili confirmed that 153 people had been killed.
Among them were 11 residents of an elder care home that was flooded in the north-central district of Kurunegala on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Troops from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed alongside civilian workers and volunteers to assist with the relief effort.
The military rescued 69 bus passengers on Saturday, including a German tourist, who had been stranded in the Anuradhapura district after a 24-hour operation.
A helicopter had to abort an initial rescue attempt because the downdraft from its rotors threatened to blow away the roof they were perched on. They were later rescued by naval boats.
Roads in the central district of Badulla remained inaccessible, leaving many villages cut off and relief supplies unable to get through.
Officials said about a third of the country was without electricity or running water because power lines had collapsed and water purification facilities were inundated. Internet connections were also disrupted.
Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2025
