Colombo: Sri Lanka is grappling with an escalating humanitarian crisis as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah surged to 153, with nearly 200 people still missing and more than half a million residents affected across multiple districts. The storm, which struck with ferocious winds and unrelenting rainfall, triggered widespread flooding and landslides that have engulfed homes, swept away entire settlements, and displaced tens of thousands. Officials warn that the extent of destruction is still unfolding as rescue workers continue to comb through submerged neighbourhoods and remote hillside communities cut off by the deluge.
Cyclone Ditwah unleashed what authorities describe as the island’s most severe flooding in ten years, overwhelming river systems and flooding vast stretches of low-lying areas. In Malwana, roughly 20 kilometres from Colombo, residents faced dramatic scenes as floodwaters rose so rapidly that some homes were swallowed up to their rooftops. Families fled in the middle of the night, leaving behind valuables and even pets as currents swept through their villages. Roads vanished under muddy waters, electricity networks collapsed, and large swathes of Colombo’s outskirts were plunged into darkness. For many, returning home has revealed scenes of near-total destruction collapsed walls, unrecognizable interiors, and waterlogged belongings scattered in currents that now fill what once were their living rooms and shops.
The scale of displacement has forced the government to establish almost 800 relief centres, primarily in schools and community halls, where more than 78,000 evacuees are seeking shelter. These temporary camps crowded and strained are being supported by state agencies, local volunteers, and religious organizations. Volunteers are preparing rice meals, distributing essential supplies, and offering medical assistance as many evacuees arrive exhausted, hungry, or injured. However, with limited resources and continued rainfall, relief operations are stretched thin. Authorities fear that persistent wet weather could worsen floods, complicate rescue logistics, and endanger communities that remain surrounded by rising water.
Rescue operations involving the police, army, and navy are ongoing across the most affected districts. Boats and amphibious vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded families, while military personnel wade through waist-deep waters to reach those trapped inside homes or clinging to roofs. Landslides have blocked key roads, delaying the transport of supplies and rescue teams. Despite the intense efforts, unpredictable river surges and unstable ground conditions continue to pose life-threatening risks to both residents and responders. The overflowing Kelani River has become a major danger zone, inundating adjoining settlements and rendering many areas unreachable except by boat.
As the catastrophe deepened, Sri Lanka declared a nationwide state of emergency, underscoring the severity of the unfolding disaster. Government agencies have appealed for international assistance, seeking support in the form of food, rescue equipment, medical supplies, and post-disaster reconstruction aid. Officials caution that the damage to infrastructure homes, roads, electricity grids, schools, and small businesses will require long-term recovery planning and substantial financial resources. Many survivors have expressed despair at the thought of rebuilding from scratch, especially as livelihoods dependent on small trade, farming, and wage labour have been abruptly wiped out by the floodwaters.
Meteorologists warn that the weather system surrounding Cyclone Ditwah may continue to influence conditions over Sri Lanka in the coming days, posing a serious threat of renewed flooding. This heightened alert has prompted authorities to issue advisories urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders. The looming possibility of additional rainfall has intensified anxiety in already devastated communities, where memories of sudden nighttime surges remain fresh and traumatic.
As Sri Lanka confronts this moment of profound crisis, global observers note the growing link between extreme weather events and the wider challenges of climate vulnerability. Cyclone Ditwah has once again exposed the fragility of densely populated river basins, the limits of existing drainage systems, and the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure. For now, however, the nation’s immediate priority remains clear: rescuing the missing, sheltering the displaced, and preventing further loss of life in one of the most tragic natural disasters to hit the island in recent memory.