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The devastating impact of Ditwah marks it as Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disaster in decades, prompting a state of emergency across the nation. The catastrophe has impacted over a million residents, resulting in more than 460 confirmed fatalities, hundreds of missing individuals, and around 30,000 homes suffering significant damage.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, particularly in the flood-ravaged region of Pidie Jaya, locals report feeling abandoned as they contend with the aftermath on their own, battling through layers of mud and debris.
Indonesia has faced its own severe consequences from this disaster, with the death toll surpassing 700, at least 500 individuals missing, and over a million people forced to flee their homes.
“I’ve been here since I was a child. I was born and raised here. My heart is shattered, and I’ve cried until I can cry no more. I’ve lost everything,” shared Junita Sari, a resident of Pidie Jaya, expressing the profound personal losses experienced by many in the community.
Authorities have sent excavators to help clear the main streets of mud, but accessing and restoring houses will be another challenge altogether.
“I don’t think we can clear this house just like this. We will need more help.”
In some flooded parts of Indonesia, the mud is as high as people’s roofs. Source: SBS News / Claudia Farhart
Another resident, Edi Asra, said it’s hard to speak without crying, estimating the cleanup could take one full year.
“We cannot imagine how much, how long – maybe three months, maybe six months, maybe one year,” Asra said.
Authorities have sent excavators to help clear the main streets of mud in the Indonesian town of Pidie Jaya in Aceh province, but accessing and restoring houses remains a challenge. Credit: Xinhua News Agency via Getty
Others, like Muhammad Daud, are worried about finances.
“Maybe I can’t clear this house. But to buy a new house, we have no money,” Daud said.
Advice to travellers as foreign aid expanded
While Sri Lanka continues to feel the effects of Cyclone Ditwah, with flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure affecting roads, rail and essential services.
The local community set a goal to clear their mosque of mud in time for this week’s Friday prayers. Source: SBS News / Claudia Farhart
“Check local conditions with local authorities or your travel provider before making plans to travel by road or rail,” the website states.
This comes as the Australian government has pledged an additional $5 million for the Indo-Pacific region due to recent extreme weather events, such as cyclones and flooding, bringing the total aid to over $14 million since October.
