COLOMBO: Severe monsoon rains and flooding have caused widespread destruction across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand, pushing the combined death toll to 533.
Sri Lanka has been facing continuous rainfall for over a week, resulting in severe flooding and landslides across several regions.
According to official reports, 123 people have lost their lives due to floods and landslides, while at least 130 individuals remain missing.
Search and rescue operations are actively underway to locate the missing persons.
Authorities in Sri Lanka stated that nearly 44,000 people have been displaced from their homes and shifted to relief camps.
The Sri Lankan government has appealed to the international community for emergency assistance as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.
In Indonesia, powerful storms followed by heavy rainfall have caused massive destruction, claiming 248 lives so far.
More than 100 people are still reported missing. A total of 75,219 people have been displaced, while 106,806 individuals have been affected in West Sumatra alone.
Meanwhile, Thailand is also experiencing severe devastation due to torrential rains and flooding, where the death toll has climbed to 162 as emergency teams continue rescue and relief efforts.
In Sri Lanka, relief operations are also being supported by the Pakistan Navy in areas affected by Cyclone “Dutwan.”
The Pakistan Navy ship PNS Saif continues to carry out humanitarian assistance missions in flood-hit regions.
On the second day of relief operations, the Z9EC helicopter deployed on board PNS Saif conducted multiple missions over Colombo and surrounding severely flooded areas.
With the support of Sri Lankan authorities, the Pakistan Navy helicopter reached stranded individuals trapped in submerged areas that were inaccessible by land.
Emergency food supplies and relief materials were delivered to the affected population by air.
The Pakistan Navy has confirmed that PNS Saif will continue its relief operations in Sri Lanka in the coming days to ensure sustained support and assistance to the affected communities during this critical time.
