Sri Lanka cyclone toll hits 132

Sri Lanka yesterday declared a state of emergency and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with another 176 reported missing.

The extreme weather system has destroyed more than 15,000 homes, sending 78,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him sweeping powers to deal with the devastation after a week of torrential rain across the island.

The country has bolstered relief efforts with the deployment of the army, navy and air force.

The military rescued 69 bus passengers yesterday, including a German tourist, who were marooned in the Anuradhapura district after a 24-hour operation involving a helicopter and naval boats.

Officials said about a third of the country was without electricity and running water as power lines had collapsed and water purification facilities were inundated. Internet connections were also disrupted in many areas.

Cyclone Ditwah moved away from the island yesterday and was heading towards neighbouring India to the north.

India's Chennai Airport has cancelled 54 flights in view of the cyclone's approach, with the weather department forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 48 hours.

The government has issued an appeal for international help and asked Sri Lankans abroad to make cash donations to support affected communities.

Officials said Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had met Colombo-based diplomats to update them on the situation and seek assistance from their governments.

India was the first to respond, sending two plane loads of relief supplies, while an Indian warship already in Colombo on a previously planned goodwill visit donated its rations to help victims.