Cyclone Ditwah Leaves 46 Dead and 23 Missing in Sri Lanka as Heavy Rains Cause Chaos

Post by : Saif Nasser

Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst weather disasters in recent years after Cyclone Ditwah swept across the island on Friday, causing deadly landslides, widespread flooding, and mass evacuations. According to officials, 46 people have been killed and 23 remain missing, while rescue teams continue to struggle through dangerous conditions to reach survivors.

The cyclone brought more than 300 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours. This sudden and intense rainfall triggered landslides, especially in the eastern and central regions, which have suffered the most damage. Many homes were buried under mud, roads collapsed, and entire villages became unreachable.

Across the country, nearly 44,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations, including schools and public buildings now being used as emergency shelters. Some families were stranded on rooftops as floodwaters rose around them, forcing emergency teams to use boats and specialized equipment to carry out rescues.

Brigadier S. Dharmawickrema, the Emergency Operations Director of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), said the situation remained critical. He explained that although rescue crews are working nonstop, blocked roads and unstable ground are slowing down the response. “Some villages are very hard to reach because landslides have blocked every entry route,” he told Reuters. “We are doing everything possible to get everyone to safety.”

The extreme weather also disrupted daily life across the island. Schools were closed to protect children, and train services were suspended due to flooding and damaged tracks. Even the Colombo Stock Exchange shut down trading early as heavy rain continued to batter the capital.

Air travel also faced major disruptions. Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said Sri Lanka may temporarily divert flights to airports in India—such as Trivandrum and Cochin—if the weather becomes more dangerous. Local media reported that six flights coming from cities like Muscat, Dubai, New Delhi, and Bangkok were already redirected from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to other destinations.

Meteorologists warned that Cyclone Ditwah could intensify further as it moves across Sri Lanka, especially over the next 12 hours. This raises fears of more rainfall, more landslides, and more damage to already affected areas.

For many families, the disaster is not only a natural tragedy but also a reminder of Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to extreme weather. The island has faced repeated floods and landslides in recent years, often made worse by poor drainage systems, deforestation, and unstable slopes.

Emergency crews and volunteers continue to work around the clock, hoping to rescue those still missing and provide support to thousands who have lost homes, belongings, and loved ones. As the cyclone moves further inland, authorities are urging people in risk zones to move to safe shelters and follow official warnings closely.

Cyclone Ditwah’s impact will likely be felt for many weeks, with communities needing major support to rebuild homes, restore roads, and recover from the destruction. For now, Sri Lanka remains on high alert as the storm continues its path across the island.