Cyclone Ditwah Death Toll Rises to 618 as Sri Lanka Braces for Fresh Landslides

Sri Lankan authorities have issued fresh landslide warnings as torrential rains continue to batter the country, already devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. The death toll has risen to 618, with over 100,000 people still in state-run camps. In the aftermath of the cyclone, Southeast and South Asia have been hit by a chain of tropical storms and monsoon rains, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 1,812 people across five countries over the past two weeks. Indonesia's president, Prabowo Subianto, has vowed to step up aid efforts, but protesters have accused him of engaging in 'disaster tourism' and failing to address the crisis. Helicopters and planes have been deployed to supply communities cut off by landslides in Sri Lanka's central region. The government has received foreign aid, including a planeload of relief supplies from Myanmar. However, the number of people in state-run camps has decreased to 100,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters recede. In Indonesia, President Prabowo has flown to Aceh province to oversee the emergency response and recovery efforts. The government has yet to declare a national disaster, despite calls to do so, which would free up resources and help coordinate the response. The Sri Lankan government has unveiled a major compensation package to rebuild homes and revive businesses affected by the cyclone, which could cost up to $7 billion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering Sri Lanka's request for an additional $200 million to help with rebuilding. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that Sri Lanka's economy has made a significant recovery, but is not strong enough to withstand the latest shock alone. The IMF has agreed to provide a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout loan to help the country recover from its 2022 economic meltdown.