Colombo, Sri Lanka — Devastating floods and mudslides have claimed at least 159 lives in Sri Lanka, as emergency officials report over 200 individuals still unaccounted for. The catastrophe has been described as one of the nation’s worst weather-related disasters in recent memory.
According to the Disaster Management Centre, more than 20,000 homes have been rendered uninhabitable, displacing approximately 108,000 people into government-run shelters. As Cyclone Ditwah has swept through the region, a state of emergency has been declared, leaving many areas without electricity and safe drinking water.
Evacuation orders are in effect for several communities, particularly as the Kelani River’s water levels continue to rise alarmingly. The hardest-hit regions include Kandy and Badulla, where landslides have cut off access to numerous villages.
In the village of Maspanna, Saman Kumara faces dire circumstances. “We lost two people in our village. Others are sheltering in a temple and a house,” he said. With all access roads blocked, Kumara’s community struggles with dwindling food supplies and clean water.
Authorities reported that among the casualties were 11 residents of an elderly care home inundated by floodwaters in the north-central district of Kurunegala. Additionally, in Anuradhapura, a dramatic rescue operation saved 69 people trapped on a bus submerged in water. Some passengers described their narrow escape, recalling how the navy aided them in reaching safety on the roof of a nearby building.
In light of the escalating crisis, the government has issued a call for international assistance and has encouraged Sri Lankans living abroad to contribute financially to support the relief efforts for affected families.
Although Cyclone Ditwah has since moved away from Sri Lanka, the country is in the midst of its annual monsoon season, which typically brings heavy rainfall. This year’s impact, however, has been unusually severe. Comparatively, the worst flooding event in this century occurred in June 2003, resulting in 254 fatalities and displacing hundreds of thousands.
The torrential rains and flooding extend beyond Sri Lanka, as Southeast Asia grapples with severe weather conditions unrelenting across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. As millions face the aftermath of the recent storms, the region braces for further challenges ahead.