Colombo: Sri Lanka is grappling with the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island last week, leaving a trail of destruction and human suffering. Official reports on Monday confirmed that the death toll has climbed to 355, while 366 people remain missing, highlighting the scale of the catastrophe. The cyclone, one of the most severe in the nation’s recent history, has affected over half a million people, destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Cyclone Ditwah unleashed torrential rains, powerful winds, and severe flooding, particularly impacting the central highlands and low-lying regions. Landslides buried entire villages, and rivers overflowing their banks inundated towns and agricultural areas. Families have been forced to flee their homes, often salvaging only what little they could carry. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams struggling to reach remote and heavily affected areas due to blocked roads and collapsed bridges.
The Sri Lankan government has described the cyclone as the most destructive natural disaster the country has faced in decades. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged citizens to remain vigilant as recovery efforts continue. Emergency services, along with the military and humanitarian agencies, are providing shelter, food, and medical aid to displaced families. Efforts to restore electricity, water supply, and transport services are underway, but challenges persist due to the scale of the damage.
Authorities have reported that Cyclone Ditwah is gradually weakening as it moves northwards, offering some relief to Sri Lanka. However, the storm has also affected southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu, where heavy rains triggered by the cyclone have resulted in at least three fatalities and caused widespread disruption. Authorities in both countries remain on high alert for potential aftereffects, including flash floods and landslides.
The immediate humanitarian needs remain acute, with thousands of people still displaced and in urgent need of basic necessities such as clean drinking water, food, and medical attention. Recovery is expected to be a long-term effort, requiring both national and international support. The disaster has also sparked conversations about the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies.
Cyclone Ditwah has left Sri Lanka in mourning and shock, with communities coming together to support one another amid unprecedented destruction. The nation faces a daunting task of rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods while tending to the emotional and physical scars left by this catastrophic storm.