The death toll in Sri Lanka has risen to at least 153 as flooding and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah wreak havoc across the island nation, officials said on Saturday.
In addition to those confirmed dead, around 191 people remain missing, and more than half a million have been affected nationwide. Relief efforts are ongoing, with over 78,000 individuals relocated to nearly 800 relief centres, many of which have been set up in schools. Military, navy, and police personnel are mobilised to assist stranded families.
Worst-affected areas include low-lying neighbourhoods along rivers, such as the Kelani River near Malwana, on the outskirts of the capital. Entire homes in these zones were submerged, forcing residents to flee. Mallika Kumari, one evacuee, told Reuters:
“We just rushed out of the house without anything,” adding that children and pets were among those hurriedly evacuated.
Authorities warned that continued rainfall and overflowing waterways could worsen the disaster. Rescue operations are ongoing, with boats evacuating trapped residents and volunteers distributing food and supplies to affected communities.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah has been described as some of the worst flooding Sri Lanka has seen in a decade, a catastrophe that could lead to a protracted humanitarian crisis as communities struggle to rebuild homes, restore services, and recover livelihoods.
