Sri Lanka is reeling from the deadly impact of Cyclone Ditwah, a powerful storm that swept across several districts this week, triggering landslides, flash floods, and widespread displacement. Officials confirmed that at least 80 people have lost their lives, while another 25 remain missing as search teams continue combing through debris-covered villages and flooded towns.
Emergency crews have been deployed across the worst-hit areas, where entire roads have collapsed and rivers have overflowed into residential communities. Residents reported that heavy rains battered the island for hours, leaving homes submerged and cutting off access to remote hill regions. Authorities fear the number of casualties may rise as rescuers reach previously inaccessible locations.
In an effort to prioritize relief operations, the Sri Lankan government has ordered the closure of schools and government offices nationwide. The National Disaster Relief Centre announced that evacuation shelters are rapidly filling, with thousands of families seeking refuge after losing their homes or being forced to flee due to unstable terrain.
With the scale of the disaster becoming increasingly clear, international assistance has begun arriving. India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, an emergency humanitarian mission that dispatched military aircraft carrying 12 tonnes of relief supplies, including food packets, medical essentials, water purification tablets, and rescue equipment. The aid is expected to bolster on-ground efforts as Sri Lanka struggles to meet the needs of those impacted.
Officials in Colombo expressed gratitude for the support, stating that the additional supplies will help fast-track assistance in flood-ravaged regions. Humanitarian agencies are also coordinating to assess long-term recovery needs, including temporary housing, infrastructure repair, and medical outreach.
Cyclone Ditwah marks one of the most damaging weather events to hit Sri Lanka in recent years, intensifying concerns over the region’s vulnerability to stronger, more erratic storms linked to changing climate patterns. As rescue operations continue, authorities urge residents in high-risk zones to remain alert, warning that further rainfall may pose additional hazards in the coming days.
