Devastation in Sri Lanka: Cyclone Ditwah Claims 46 Lives, 23 Missing

Post by : Raina Nasser

On Friday, Sri Lanka endured significant destruction as Cyclone Ditwah ravaged the country, leaving 46 fatalities and 23 individuals unaccounted for, per emergency officials. The Sri Lanka cyclone unleashed a deluge, with rainfall surpassing 300mm within a single day, triggering lethal landslides and widespread flooding in the eastern and central regions.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that nearly 44,000 residents have been evacuated to safer locations, including schools and public shelters, as rising water levels posed a threat. Emergency teams successfully rescued numerous families trapped on rooftops during the night amidst challenging weather conditions.

Officials have announced that schools remain shuttered, and train services have been suspended in affected areas. Early on, the Colombo Stock Exchange was compelled to pause trading due to relentless heavy rains prompted by Cyclone Ditwah.

Brigadier S. Dharmawickrema, the Emergency Operations Director at the DMC, conveyed that rescue efforts are ongoing, but accessing several villages has proven to be exceedingly challenging. “Roads have been obstructed by landslides and debris. Certain locales are entirely isolated, yet we are striving relentlessly to ensure safety for all,” he informed Reuters.

With the Sri Lanka storm growing in intensity, government officials cautioned that weather conditions could deteriorate further in the upcoming 12 hours. The Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry indicated that flights might be redirected from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo to Trivandrum or Cochin in India should the situation worsen. Reports suggest that flights from Muscat, Dubai, New Delhi, and Bangkok have already been rerouted.

Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, steer clear of inundated areas, and heed the directives from officials as Sri Lanka rescue efforts continue nationwide. As the storm persists, officials express concern that the death toll may rise if the heavy rainfall endures.