Oceans, Seas, River and Water bodies

As India’s financial and material aid begins to flow into rebuilding efforts across Sri Lanka, the focus has gradually shifted from emergency response to sustainable reconstruction and resilience building.

Long-term climate risk, particularly heat exposure, also carries socio-economic consequences, threatening jobs, livelihoods and economic growth if unchecked.

Nearly 20 per cent of the country’s land area was inundated during Cyclone Ditwah, causing widespread devastation across all provinces.

One of the most encouraging signs of ecological recovery is the resurgence of the dolphin population in the Ganga basin. According to surveys conducted between 2021 and 2023, the number of river-dolphins has risen to approximately 6,327 individuals – more than double the estimated baseline of 2,500–3,000 dolphins recorded in 2009.

Experts point out that recovery fund and planned reconstruction must also prioritise restoring agricultural capacity, irrigation and roads – because Sri Lanka’s food security and export-based economy depend critically on them.

Sri Lanka faces a challenging road ahead: rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring health services, and ensuring clean water access are urgent priorities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that floods significantly raise the risk of vector-borne, food-borne and water-borne diseases, urging communities to prevent mosquito bites, ensure food safety and use safe drinking water wherever possible.

While the gathering in Belém sets the tone for two weeks of negotiations, the key test will be whether developed countries step up to match rhetoric with financial, technological and capacity-building support. India and its partners argue that ambition without means is hollow.