Sri Lanka is struggling with severe flooding after Cyclone Ditwah devastated large parts of the country, raising the death toll to 159 and leaving 203 people missing. Authorities warned that northern Colombo faces a major flood as rising water in the Kelani River threatens surrounding communities. Despite the cyclone moving away, heavy upstream rains continue to worsen conditions.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and appealed for international assistance to manage the worsening crisis. India swiftly responded by sending relief supplies and helicopters for rescue missions, while Japan pledged to dispatch an assessment team and offer further support. However, relief efforts remain difficult as many roads in central regions are still inaccessible.
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The cyclone destroyed over 20,000 homes and forced 122,000 people into temporary government shelters, while another 833,000 people require immediate assistance due to widespread displacement. Troops from the army, navy, and air force have joined civilian teams and volunteers to help rescue stranded families and deliver essential supplies across the island.
Furthermore, about one-third of the country remains without electricity or running water due to collapsed power lines and damaged purification facilities. Internet services have also been disrupted, adding to communication challenges for affected communities. Officials fear that repairing critical infrastructure may take considerable time because floodwaters continue to rise.
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This disaster is now the deadliest to hit Sri Lanka since 2017, when severe flooding and landslides killed more than 200 people. Authorities warn that the current situation may worsen if rainfall continues, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as rescue operations intensify across the country.