Cyclone Ditwah and Government’s lackadaisical preparedness and response

ALMOST one week after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the nation is still reeling from the loss of precious human lives and extensive damages to physical properties across the island. The tremendous sorrow and grief arising from the demise of loved ones is extremely difficult to be healed. The news reports of entire families succumbing to death under tragic circumstances due to floods and landslides last week evoke feelings of immense distress and trauma.

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Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the catastrophic cyclone, the manner in which the NPP Government approached the natural hazard, and its subsequent response have come under serious scrutiny. Before assuming power, the left-leaning political coalition promised to deliver a comprehensive systemic change and vowed to be different from its predecessors particularly in relation to disasters caused by nature. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the campaign trail eloquently articulated the necessity of having well-developed early warning systems to deal with natural disasters. However, it has now been clearly established that despite public warnings about the danger the country was going to face as early as 12 November by the Department of Meteorology, no attention was paid by the political leadership of the Government to address the challenges posed by the forecasted erratic weather. Unlike tsunamis, natural hazards like storms can be predicted in advance, thus giving ample time to take the requisite precautions.