The Sri Lankan government has come under further criticism, following reports that Indian officials issued early warnings about Cyclone Ditwah weeks before the storm destroyed areas of the island, leaving hundreds dead.
The Indian Express reports that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning about possible cyclones by November 20, following an initial anticipation of a depression on November 13. The IMD began issuing three-hourly and six-hourly alerts on November 23 with the goal to track the storm's expected course by November 26. According to reports, all information was sent to Sri Lankan authorities through standard means.
Despite the early warnings, Sri Lankan authorities faced immense limits in responding. The report said that the nation "does not have an elaborate evacuation mechanism that can relocate hundreds of thousands of people at short notice."
According to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, "historically, very few cyclones have affected Sri Lanka, and their frequency is low”.
Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa denied allegations that Sri Lankan officials were aware of the cyclone beforehand in response to public criticism. His remarks came after the opposition claimed that the impact of the tragedy had been heightened by the government's late reaction, which included the late opening of reservoir gates.
Read more at the Daily Mirror here.
