Heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have devastated large parts of Sri Lanka. The official death toll has reached 123, with 130 people still missing.
Nearly 44,000 people have been evacuated to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed or floods rendered them unsafe.
Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has described the situation as one of the worst in recent years.
What Happened So Far
- Torrential rains and floods began late last week, but conditions worsened significantly after the cyclone made landfall.
- Flooding and frequent landslides — especially in central and tea-growing hill zones — caused most of the casualties.
- The flooding triggered rivers to overflow, including the Kelani River near Colombo, forcing mass evacuations.
Current Relief & Rescue Efforts
- Military, navy and air-force units have been mobilised to help with rescue and distribution of relief — including boats, helicopters, and medical aid.
- Temporary shelters — schools and community centres — are housing displaced families; tens of thousands remain in urgent need of relief supplies.
- The authorities warn that the situation remains precarious: many remote, landslide-hit areas are still inaccessible, and missing persons may still be found.
What to Watch — Ongoing Threat & Regional Impact
Although the cyclone has now exited Sri Lanka and is heading towards the Bay of Bengal / Indian coast, experts caution that after-effects remain dangerous — floodwaters, landslide risk, and heavy rainfall may continue in some northern and central zones.
The neighbouring Indian states — including Tamil Nadu and southern regions — are already on alert.
Also Read : Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu Hit — Flights Cancelled, Schools Shut, India Sends Aid to Sri Lanka
