Sri Lanka Faces Rising Flood Threat as Cyclone Ditwah Kills 46

Post by : Saif Nasser

Sri Lanka is facing a severe natural disaster after Cyclone Ditwah moved across the country, killing 46 people and leaving 23 others missing. The powerful storm caused heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous flooding across several regions. Officials warned that the situation could worsen in the next 12 hours as more rain is expected.

Most of the deaths happened because of landslides. Some eastern and central areas received more than 300 millimetres of rain in a short time, which caused hillsides to collapse and bury homes. Many communities were caught off guard as water levels rose quickly, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

The Disaster Management Centre said that nearly 44,000 people across the country have been affected. Many families have taken shelter in schools and public buildings after losing access to their homes. Rescue teams are working nonstop, but strong winds and continuous rain are making their job difficult.

Floodwaters have spread across large parts of southern and eastern Sri Lanka, including several neighbourhoods in the capital, Colombo. Authorities said the flooding is likely to expand even more, putting additional communities at risk. Because of the dangerous conditions, the Colombo Stock Exchange stopped trading early, and schools and many train services remained closed.

The military and police have been carrying out major rescue operations. In one dramatic mission, 13 people who were trapped on a bridge in Polonnaruwa, about 220 kilometres from Colombo, were lifted to safety by the air force. Many other families stuck on rooftops were also rescued. In one unusual scene, a man who climbed a coconut tree to escape rising water had to be airlifted by helicopter.

Heavy rain also disrupted operations at Colombo’s main airport, Bandaranaike International Airport. At least 15 flights had to be diverted to airports in India, including Trivandrum and Cochin. The disruptions caused delays for travellers and added pressure to emergency services already stretched across the country.

India sent 6.5 metric tons of food aid to Sri Lanka to help support relief efforts. The Indian High Commission said the government acted quickly as Cyclone Ditwah moved across Sri Lanka and headed toward southern India. International support may continue as the scale of the damage becomes clearer.

More than 20,000 police and military personnel have been deployed in different towns to help with evacuations. Many neighbourhoods near Colombo are still facing rising water levels. Residents described the fear and uncertainty as they watched floodwaters rise around their homes. One resident, 70-year-old Mohammed Rumy from Wellampitiya, said strong winds made the situation worse. He explained that he helped move furniture out of nearby houses before taking shelter with his family.

The cyclone has brought destruction at a time when Sri Lanka is still recovering from economic challenges and previous climate disasters. With more rain expected, authorities are urging people in low-lying areas to move to safer locations immediately. The next few hours will be critical as emergency teams race to protect lives, restore essential services, and prevent further tragedy.