Pakistan offers assistance to Sri Lanka after floods kill over 50

• Nearly 44,000 people have been affected by floods across Sri Lanka, and many have sought refuge in schools and public shelters
• Over 20,000 police, military personnel have stepped up evacuations in multiple towns after authorities warned of rising flood waters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday offered relief support to Sri Lanka after deadly floods killed more than 50 in the tropical South Asian country.

Sri Lanka closed government offices and schools on Friday as the death toll from this week’s floods and landslides rose to 56, with roads, fields and more than 600 houses damaged.

In a post on X, the Pakistani deputy prime minister expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in Sri Lanka and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“Pakistan stands in full solidarity with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in this difficult time,” he said in a post on X. “Pakistan is ready to provide all possible support for the relief efforts.”

Nearly 44,000 people have been affected by floods across Sri Lanka, and many have sought refuge in schools and public shelters, according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC).

The Irrigation Department said it expected the floods that have already affected countless areas across southern and eastern Sri Lanka, including many parts of capital Colombo, to spread even further.

Over 20,000 police and military personnel have stepped up evacuations in multiple towns, including the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s largest city Colombo, after authorities warned of rising flood waters.

Pakistan has also been reeling from this year’s floods that killed more than 1,000 people and affected around 3.6 million across the country, where scientists say rising temperatures are making monsoon rains heavier and more erratic.