More than 420,000 individuals are reeling from the aftermath, with 49,000 homes damaged and 25,000 obliterated entirely. Relief teams are working tirelessly in affected areas, conducting damage evaluations and providing critical support to survivors amid ongoing challenges.

The government escalated its response by proclaiming a national disaster state on February 11, driven by human casualties, mass displacement, and profound losses to housing, roads, and economic lifelines. This catastrophe builds on prior Cyclone Fitia and persistent downpours, which had already saturated the soil and primed the region for disaster.

United Nations humanitarian coordination (OCHA) reported that a $3 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund will aid over 90,000 victims. Supplementary funds from donors are bolstering distributions of essentials like 800 metric tons of rice. Preliminary data shows 250,000-plus affected, 7,000 displaced, 65,000 homes inundated or destroyed, and 600 schools partially or fully incapacitated.

With the government appealing for global assistance, UN agencies and partners are intensifying search-and-rescue, shelter provision, and food security measures. As floodwaters recede, the focus shifts to rebuilding, but the human cost of Gajaani serves as a stark reminder of Madagascar’s vulnerability to extreme weather.

New Delhi’s aid mission kicked off immediately after the storm battered the island with relentless rain, floods, and landslides. The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force B-492 has excelled, already erecting two bridges in Jaffna and Kandy. Their latest success at KM 15 restores a lifeline that was buried under debris for over a month.

Life in Central Province had ground to a halt. Travel stalled, food and medicine couldn’t reach villages, and ambulances faced impassable routes. The disaster fragmented communities, amplifying the human toll of nature’s rage.

India stepped up as a steadfast ally. Beyond delivering relief supplies, Operation Sea Brothers focuses on reconstruction. Navy ships ferried aid, while ground teams cleared rubble and rebuilt pathways. This collaborative effort highlights India’s proactive diplomacy in South Asia.

The new bridge buzzes with activity already. Trucks haul goods, families reunite across districts, and economic pulses quicken. It’s a testament to engineering prowess meeting humanitarian need. As Sri Lanka heals, these interventions pave the way for sustained recovery, strengthening bilateral ties for the future.

Highlighting the aftermath of devastating cloudbursts and flash floods last year, Sukhu detailed how these disasters wiped out crucial infrastructure and agricultural assets, pushing the state’s debt-to-GDP ratio to unsustainable levels. He sought Rs 10,000 crore as special assistance, alongside expedited clearance of pending GST compensation dues and increased grants-in-aid.

The CM also flagged implementation hurdles in centrally sponsored schemes, requesting flexibility in fund utilization norms. Discussions touched upon hydropower project delays due to environmental clearances and the need for viability gap funding to attract private investments.

Responding positively, FM Sitharaman committed to a thorough review within the Finance Commission framework. She emphasized the Centre’s ongoing efforts through the Aspirational Districts Programme and PM Gram Sadak Yojana to bolster Himachal’s development.

This engagement underscores deepening Centre-state coordination on fiscal matters, especially post the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations. Himachal’s unique geographical challenges demand tailored solutions beyond standard allocations.

Stakeholders in the state, including industry bodies and farmer unions, are closely watching these developments. A favorable outcome could accelerate restoration works in apple orchards, road networks, and tourism circuits – sectors vital to Himachal’s economy.

With assembly polls not far away, Sukhu’s proactive diplomacy aims to deliver tangible benefits to constituents while navigating coalition dynamics at the Centre. The financial aid package, if approved, would mark a significant win for federal cooperative governance.

The mission involved intricate maneuvers, including a Garud commando being winched down to guide evacuees through challenging terrain to a designated helipad. This allowed for the safe evacuation of 24 passengers to Colombo. In parallel, three critically injured individuals received immediate medical attention via airlift. The joint efforts saw Sri Lankan Army teams also deployed to the affected Kotmale area, demonstrating a unified response to the severe weather crisis. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka highlighted ongoing efforts, including the rescue of a family by a Chetak helicopter from INS Vikrant, reinforcing India’s commitment to assisting its neighbor during this challenging time. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also actively involved in intensifying relief operations across Sri Lanka.

Over 373,000 people across 102,000 families have been impacted by the cyclone’s fury, facing floods, landslides, and strong winds. Rescue operations are in full swing. In a dramatic rescue, around 40 people, including a foreign national, were saved from a bus swept away by floodwaters near Anuradhapura. They had sought refuge on a nearby rooftop after the bus was stranded.

India has stepped in to assist Sri Lanka through ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu.’ An Indian Air Force aircraft delivered 80 NDRF personnel, including specialized rescue dogs and essential equipment. The Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri have also delivered crucial relief supplies. The High Commission of India in Colombo has established an emergency help desk for Indian citizens affected by the cyclone.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, anticipating Cyclone Ditwah’s landfall. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in several coastal districts, with light to moderate rain predicted for other areas. Authorities have deployed 14 NDRF teams to vulnerable districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with more teams on standby in Chennai to manage the potential impact.

Gen-Z is actively involved in aiding Nepal during the floods and heavy rainfall. The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed Gen-Z volunteers to coordinate the response to the ongoing floods and landslides across the country. These Gen-Z leaders have been working to coordinate with various districts since Friday evening.

When the weather department issued a warning about heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides for three days, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs summoned Gen-Z leaders, including Sudan Gurung, Yugen Rajbhandari, and Bhavana Raut, to the Singhadurbar. Home Minister, Om Prakash Aryal, personally engaged in discussions with them. An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the government sought assistance from all available resources to leave no stone unturned in addressing the situation.

The participation of Gen-Z, combined with information shared through social media, has facilitated swift action. A post by young Sagar Dhakal on social media regarding the incident in Panchthar proved crucial. According to the Home Department, had this information not been shared, the authorities would have received the news of the incident at an unknown location much later.

Following Dhakal’s post, officials from the Panchthar District Administration Office took immediate action. Arun Pokharel, the Chief District Officer of Panchthar, mentioned that they were coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the timely information aided in rescuing people. Two individuals were rescued with the assistance of a military helicopter. The ministry has been leveraging the help of Gen-Z leaders to gather and disseminate information, and they have been deployed to assist.

A Ministry of Home Affairs official stated that the ministry was receiving numerous calls from various districts, and there was a great deal of coordination required. Therefore, they worked to deploy personnel to the most vulnerable areas on Saturday night. Gen-Z leader Sudan Gurung also participated in a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Saturday afternoon.

He also uploaded a video on the social media platform Facebook, providing directives to NEA CEO Dinesh Bhatta. He emphasized the prioritization of ambulances, stating that it should be confirmed whether ambulances are available in the affected areas, and if so, they should be deployed to rescue people.

According to Nepali media reports, the majority of the casualties due to landslides have occurred in Ilam. According to Central Police Spokesperson Binod Ghimire, 37 people died in Ilam over two days, and five were injured. Rainfall data from Sunday (in 24 hours): Mai Pokhari Station, Ilam: 269.4 mm, Ilam Tea Garden Station: 272.6 mm, Kaniyam: 275 mm. The weather department anticipates a reduction in rainfall across the country from Monday.

Local authorities promptly mobilized relief and rescue teams. Officials also cautioned that aftershocks could occur. Assessments are currently underway to ascertain the impact on structures and the populace. The tremors were felt strongly enough to cause panic in certain areas.

The government had set a GDP growth target of 4.2% for the fiscal year 2025-26, but this is now projected to decrease to 3.9% due to the impact of the floods. Finance ministry officials told the IMF that Pakistan requires $26 billion in external funding, with $12 billion needed immediately.

The floods caused extensive damage to Pakistan’s infrastructure, including 2,133 kilometers of roads, 248 bridges, and 866 water structures. In addition, 1,098 schools, 128 healthcare centers, and 3.026 million acres of agricultural land were affected. Livestock, businesses, and public buildings also suffered significant losses.

Looking at the regional impact, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of deaths (504), followed by Punjab (304), Sindh (80), Great Britain (41), Jammu and Kashmir (38), Balochistan (30), and Islamabad (9). Balochistan saw the most damage to homes, with 5,086 houses destroyed. Roads and bridges were also damaged in various provinces.

The agriculture sector suffered a loss of 155 billion rupees. Crops like cotton, wheat, sugarcane, and maize were affected. Cotton production could decrease by 1.5 to 2 million bales, while wheat production may decline by 0.7 to 1.3 million tons. The growth rate of the agricultural sector could fall to 4%.

The industrial sector’s growth rate is projected to decrease from 4.3% to 4.2%, and the growth in the electricity, gas, and water supply sector is expected to drop from 3.5% to 2.9%. The service sector’s growth may also decline from 4% to 3.7%.

To secure funding, Pakistan informed the IMF that it plans to launch a Panda bond in the Chinese market in November, targeting $250 to $300 million. A Eurobond is planned for April 2026. To increase foreign exchange reserves, Pakistan purchased over $500 million from the interbank market in June 2025, bringing its total reserves to $7.7 billion.