• Death toll in Sri Lanka rises to 618 due to landslides and flooding from Cyclone Ditwah.
• Over 1,800 people have died across Southeast Asia as storms cause widespread devastation.
• More than two million individuals in Sri Lanka affected, highlighting extensive humanitarian needs.
• Government issues fresh landslide warnings as rescue operations continue amid heavy rains.
• International aid efforts are underway, including relief supplies from Myanmar.

As heavy rains continue to batter Sri Lanka, the death toll from landslides and flooding has reached 618, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The cyclone-related disaster is classified as the worst the island has faced in decades, impacting nearly 10 percent of the population, with more than two million people affected. Monsoon storms have exacerbated the situation, rendering hillsides unstable, particularly in the central mountainous regions and northwestern midlands, with helicopters and planes deployed for relief efforts, reports Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Dawn.

Over the past two weeks, a series of storms has caused devastating floods and landslides across Southeast Asia, with the combined death toll exceeding 1,800. Neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have also reported heavy casualties, with Indonesia experiencing over 900 deaths alone. Survivors in these regions are in dire need of clean drinking water and immediate assistance, highlighting the humanitarian crisis the storms have generated, according to India Times, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

The Sri Lankan government announced a major compensation plan aimed at assisting those affected. This includes financial support for families of the deceased and those permanently disabled due to the cyclone. Additionally, provisions for rebuilding homes and purchasing land in safer areas are part of the recovery strategy. The projected cost for recovery efforts is estimated at around US$7 billion, as foreign aid continues to flow in, including a recent delivery from Myanmar, reports South China Morning Post, Dawn, and India Times.

Although relief efforts are underway, many survivors have expressed frustration with official responses, accusing leaders of engaging in what they term "disaster tourism" rather than effectively addressing the crisis. Protests have erupted in Indonesia as citizens demand decisive action and tangible support for their communities in recovery efforts. This sentiment reflects a broader frustration with governmental responses throughout impacted areas, as communities grapple with the aftermath of the catastrophic weather events, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.