47-member Pakistan Army rescue team off to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
In the wake of the large-scale destruction caused by the severe storm in Sri Lanka and following the Lankan government’s appeal for assistance, the Government of Pakistan has continued relief measures for the affected population and dispatched a search and rescue team, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
On the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a dedicated Pakistan search and rescue team was dispatched early Wednesday morning to support operations in the affected areas of Sri Lanka.
A Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying a 47-member team along with 6.5 tons of essential equipment has departed to participate in the humanitarian and rescue efforts.
The departure ceremony for the relief consignment was attended by Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, and Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (retd).
#Pakistan is continuing its relief efforts for the people affected by #cyclone in #SriLanka@ndmapk @ForeignOfficePk @MFA_SriLanka @DrTariqFazal #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/Gpc4LyPf5Z pic.twitter.com/BIXSDHm3WL
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) December 3, 2025
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that NDMA remains fully committed to responding to disasters and mitigating their adverse impacts both within Pakistan and in affected countries abroad. Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan, expressed gratitude to the people and Government of Pakistan for the timely provision of emergency assistance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an extensive dialogue with the President of Sri Lanka yesterday and also initiated contact with other cyclone-affected countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. NDMA has additionally arranged for the dispatch of relief goods through Sri Lankan Airlines operating between Colombo and Lahore.
On Tuesday, under the special directive of the Prime Minister, NDMA also sent 200 tons of relief supplies to Sri Lanka via sea shipment.
The relief items dispatched include family tents, blankets, quilts, life jackets, inflatable boats, de-watering pumps, lamps, mats, mosquito nets, infant dry milk, ready-to-eat food, and essential medicines. Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are already actively engaged in relief operations in Sri Lanka.
Also Read: Pakistan accuses India of blocking relief flights to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
Following a special request from the President of Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, NDMA is also sending temporary bridges from the Pakistan Army to support restoration and access efforts in the affected regions.
Pakistan will continue to extend all possible assistance to the people of Sri Lanka as part of its enduring commitment to humanitarian support and regional solidarity.
????????????????????Pak NDMA coordinated to send 200 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka on PM’s Directives via sea cargo.Shipment contained tents, blankets, boats, life jackets, de-watering pumps, lamps, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, infant milk, RUTF, and essential medicines. pic.twitter.com/zj0pumU8E7
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) December 2, 2025
Sri Lanka cyclone toll hits 465
Sri Lankan authorities said Wednesday they would need some $7 billion to rebuild homes, industries and roads destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, which has left at least 465 people dead so far.
Hopes have faded for the 366 other people unaccounted for after mudslides and floods triggered by the cyclone, which brought record rains across the island last week.
"Our initial estimate is that we will need about six to seven billion dollars for the reconstruction," said Prabath Chandrakeerthi, the Commissioner-General of Essential Services who is leading the massive recovery effort.
Chandrakeerthi added that the government was providing 25,000 rupees ($81) to each family to help clean their homes, while those who lost their homes would receive up to 2.5 million rupees ($8,100).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said foreign assistance was essential to finance the recovery, as the country was still emerging from its worst ever economic crisis three years ago.
Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and has vowed to rebuild with international support.
"We were just coming out of the economic crisis when we were hit by this disaster, which is the biggest challenge faced by any government," Dissanayake told his top officials on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka declared a sovereign default on its $46 billion external debt in April 2022 after the country ran out of foreign exchange to finance even the most essential imports, such as food, fuel and medicines.
The country secured a $2.9 billion bailout loan from the IMF, which has said the economy has since stabilised, but Sri Lanka must maintain its reforms, including austerity measures.
The crisis in 2022 led to months of street protests which forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.
Floodwaters in the capital Colombo were receding Wednesday after major flooding over the weekend.
Over 1.5 million people in the country have been affected by the natural disaster, with some 200,000 in state-run shelters.
Some of the worst-affected areas in the central hills remain inaccessible, and authorities were working to clear the roads and restore communication lines.
Despite the disaster, the tourism-reliant country welcomed a luxury cruiseliner to Colombo port on Tuesday, authorities said.
The arrival sends "a clear message to the world: Sri Lanka is safe, open, and ready to embrace visitors once again," the country's tourist board said.
Reporter Ahmad Mansoor/AFP