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Floods Hit Sri Lanka’s Capital As Cyclone D3aths Near 200

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The cyclone is Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when flooding and landslides claimed more than 200 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Damaged wires dangle from electric poles as an army truck wades through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo on November 30, 2025.

Entire areas of Sri Lanka’s capital were flooded on Sunday after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island, with authorities reporting nearly 200 dead and dozens more missing.

Officials said the extent of the damage in the country’s worst-affected central region was only just being revealed as relief workers cleared roads blocked by fallen trees and mudslides.

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said at least 193 people had died following a week of heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, while 228 people were missing.

The northern parts of Colombo were flooded as the water level in the Kelani River rose rapidly, the DMC said.

“Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River,” a DMC official said.

People with their belongings wade through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo on November 30, 2025.

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Cyclone Ditwah moved away towards India on Saturday.
Selvi, 46, a resident of the Colombo suburb of Wennawatte, left her flooded home on Sunday, carrying four bags of clothes and valuables.

“My house is completely flooded. I don’t know where to go, but I hope there is some safe shelter where I can take my family,” she told AFP.

Water levels in the town of Manampitiya, 250 kilometres (156 miles) north-east of Colombo, were receding, revealing massive destruction.

“Manampitiya is a flood-prone town, but I have never seen such a volume of water,” said 72-year-old resident S. Sivanandan.
He told the local News Centre portal that businesses and property had been damaged extensively. A car had flipped upside down right in front of his shop.

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– Deadliest in years –

People with their belongings wade through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo on November 30, 2025.

Although there have been relatively few injuries, the National Blood Transfusion Service said it was in short supply.

The blood bank chief, Lakshman Edirisinghe, said their daily requirement was about 1,500 units of blood, but the weather-related disruptions had reduced supply to just 236 units on Saturday.
“Because of floods and heavy rains, we were unable to conduct our mobile campaigns to collect blood,” he told reporters in Colombo. “We appeal to donors to visit the nearest blood bank.”
The National Building Research Organisation, which monitors the stability of hillsides, said there was a high risk of further landslides because mountain slopes were still saturated with rainwater.

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone and appealed for international aid.
India was the first to respond, sending relief supplies and two helicopters with crew to carry out rescue missions. Two more choppers were due to join on Sunday, officials said.

Pakistan was also sending rescue teams, according to the Sri Lankan Air Force. Japan said it would send a team to assess immediate needs and pledged further assistance.
The extreme weather system has destroyed more than 25,000 homes and sent 147,000 people into state-run temporary shelters.
Another 968,000 people required assistance after being displaced by the floods.

Troops from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed alongside civilian workers and volunteers to assist with the relief effort.

The cyclone is Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when flooding and landslides claimed more than 200 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The worst flooding since the turn of the century occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed.

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2027: Ogor visits IDU, Monarchs, declares intention to contest Delta South senatorial district

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The immediate younger brother of Hon. Leo Ogor, Barr. Jay Ogor has officially declared his intention to contest as Senator for Delta South senatorial district in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Barr Jay Ogor made this declaration during his official consultation visit to Isoko Development Union (IDU) leadership headed by Prof. Chris Akpotu and some Isoko traditional rulers at Chief Iduh Amadhe Hall, Oleh.

The consultation visit which occured on the 16th of April attracted a mammoth crowd of IDU delegates, Clan PGs, including women and youth groups, has been the single-ethnic consultation so far in his 2027campaign.

While addressing the leadership of the IDU and traditional rulers, Barr. Jay Ogor, restated the message he first delivered at the NUJ, Warri chapel, where he, Ogor emphatically noted that, the Delta South senatorial district was vacant due to poor representation.

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“As far as am concerned, the Delta South senatorial district is vacant” as he echoed his earlier declaration to the audience.

He noted that, his mission is rooted in inclusiveness and people driven-policy.

Barr. Jay Ogor observed that, one of the things millitating against the progress of Delta South senatorial district is lack of understanding and unity. He identify disunity as the greatest problem of the district.
“One of the major thing that bothers me most about Delta South is unity. We lack unity. We can not develop without unity”.

Barr. Jay Ogor, while speaking about the issues affecting Isoko Nation and entire Delta South senatorial district, he promised to adopt a different style of representation built on the tripod of accessibility and constant engagement with the people he represent.

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“I want to say that, in my first 30 — 60 days in office, I will hold town hall meetings with the Ijaws, the Itsekiris, the Urhobos and you, my Isoko people, so that everyone will understand the unique challenges, we all face ” Barr. Ogor while criticizing the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), he noted that the IOCs have taken advantage of it, while the Communities remains underdeveloped. ” I intend to correct this because I know how to go about it as a lawyer “.

On the issues of federal presence and empowerment, Barr. Jay Ogor promised to engage and attract federal presence to Delta South senatorial district with meaningful empowerment deals from federal agencies such as the ministry of women affairs, NELFUND, BOI, NNPC, NDDC, and many others for infrastructural development, especially in the areas of electricity distribution and noted that the current deficit in women and youths empowerment shall be redressed.
While still speaking, he used the medium to appeal to the media houses and traditional institutions to always as point of duty to vet aspirants first, noting that, if an aspirant does not have a good character, such aspirant should not be encouraged as he can not represent the collective interests and aspirations of the people.

The president -General of the Isoko Development Union World-wide, Prof. Chris Akpotu, while appreciating Barr. Jay Ogor consultation visit entourage for the recognition, he wished him success in his political journey, while reminding him and other aspirants that Isoko Nation expects more than promises, stressing that “actions are louder than words”.
Prof. Akpotu referenced the Union’s standing demand for greater involvement in “Oil and Gas” governance, infrastructure and resolution of Land disputes affecting the 19 Kingdoms —– from Uzere, Oleh, and OZORO to Irri, Ellu, Ofagbe, Okpe-Isoko, Emede, IGBIDE and others.

The Chairman of the Isoko traditional rulers council, HRM, (Barr.) Uvietobore Anthony Ogbogbo of OZORO Kingdom led other traditional rulers to pray for Barr. Jay Ogor, the prayer urged him to always remember home.

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INSULT! Boko Haram Faction Picks 68 Girls From Over 400 Captives For Distribution Among Fighters –Borno Group

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A faction of Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), has reportedly selected 68 women from a group of 416 abducted victims, with plans to distribute them among its members.

The alarming disclosure was made on Thursday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, who told SaharaReporters that he was directly contacted by one of the insurgents detailing their next line of action amid what they described as government inaction.

According to Kaigama, the contact occurred around 8:00 PM on April 23, when individuals identifying themselves as members of JAS reached out regarding the abducted Ngoshe victims.

“During the communication, they claimed that they have selected 68 women out of the reported 416 captives and intend to distribute them among their members, similar to previous abduction cases,” Kaigama said.

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He added that the insurgents issued a threat, indicating that some of the captives could be harmed or killed based on their internal selection process.

The terrorists also indicated that between 50 and 60 individuals could be targeted for execution.

The development has heightened concerns over the fate of hundreds of women, children, and other vulnerable individuals still held by the insurgents in Borno State.

Kaigama described the situation as a grave humanitarian emergency, urging immediate intervention from Nigeria’s security architecture, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and military authorities.

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“Given the seriousness of these claims and the immediate danger to innocent lives, we strongly believe that all relevant security agencies should urgently become involved,” he said.

He called on authorities to deploy all lawful means to gather intelligence, verify the threats, and secure the safe release of the captives.

“This is beyond politics. This is a humanitarian emergency involving innocent citizens whose lives may depend on urgent intervention,” Kaigama stressed.

The BOSYA president reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advocating for the safe return of all abducted Southern Borno indigenes through lawful and peaceful means.

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As at Thursday at least 12 of the victims had reportedly escaped captivity following a military offensive on the insurgents’ hideout.

Out of the 416 abducted persons, 404 are still believed to be in captivity.

A community source from Pulka said the escapees, 10 men and two women, regained freedom amid the chaos triggered by the bombardment.

Kaigama also confirmed the development, noting that the victims escaped on Wednesday and were safe

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Ibadan declaration: Opposition standing on quick sand– Presidency

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The presidency has said that opposition political parties are standing on a quick sand while President Bola Tinubu is standing solidly on the rock of competence.

Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this on Sunday in an interview on Arise Television.

The presidential spokesman, who was reacting to the Ibadan declaration by the opposition to field one presidential candidate, described the summit as a collection of recycled politicians.

He said they are people who have been ministers, governors, and political actors for years, stressing that a closer look at their recent performances, whether in executive or legislative roles, there is little evidence of fresh thinking.

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According to him, the individuals have nothing new to offer Nigerians.

He said, “They are free to field five, seven presidential candidates. But I said they’re standing on the sinking ground.

“That is the beauty of democracy. You have the opposition, you have individuals, political leaders decide on what they want to do.

“But that does not diminish the fact that there is a government in place that is functional, that has measured outcomes in what it has been doing. It does not take that away.”

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