COLOMBO – Rescuers in Sri Lanka are working around the clock to deliver aid and clear roads after Cyclone Ditwah swept across the island, leaving 355 dead and 366 missing. The cyclone brought heavy rains and strong winds, triggering floods and landslides in the central hilly region, affecting more than half a million people.
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Along the Kelani River near Colombo, residents salvaged belongings from submerged homes as authorities struggled to restore basic services. Train and flight operations have resumed, but schools remain closed, and emergency shelters continue to house thousands of displaced families.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described the disaster as the “largest and most challenging” in the country’s history, marking the first time Sri Lanka has been struck entirely by a single natural disaster. Officials emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to support survivors and prevent further casualties.
As of 9 am today, Sri Lanka’s disaster death toll has risen to 355, with 366 people still missing. Over 209,000 residents have been displaced and are now sheltered in 1,529 centres across the island.
Authorities warn the toll is likely to rise further as reports emerge from… pic.twitter.com/eUiHwDlXME
— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) December 1, 2025
Cyclone Ditwah has since weakened into a deep depression and is moving northwards away from the island, according to the country’s weather authorities. Despite the storm moving on, the aftermath continues to impact communities with damaged infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods.
The cyclone also affected neighboring India, bringing heavy rain to Tamil Nadu and causing three deaths in rain-related incidents. Officials in Chennai reported that the storm, approximately 50 km off the coast, is expected to weaken further over the next 12 hours.
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Sri Lankan authorities are coordinating with international relief agencies to provide food, water, and medical support, while residents begin the challenging process of rebuilding homes and livelihoods. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, with fears that landslides and flooding may have caused additional unreported casualties.