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Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka: 153 Dead, Thousands Displaced
Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after Cyclone Ditwah kills 153, leaves 191 missing, and displaces over 108,000 people. International aid requested as floods and landslides wreak havoc.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-29
Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka: 153 Dead, Thousands Displaced

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international aid as the death toll from floods and mudslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 153, with 191 people missing, officials said on Saturday.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that more than 20,000 homes have been destroyed, forcing 108,000 people into state-run temporary shelters. A further 798,000 people remain in need of assistance after being displaced.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency powers, granting him broad authority to manage the response to the week-long torrential rains across the island. Among the fatalities were 11 residents of an elder care home flooded in Kurunegala.

Rescue efforts are underway, with troops from the army, navy, and air force assisting alongside civilian volunteers. In a dramatic rescue in Anuradhapura, 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, were saved after being stranded for over 24 hours.

Roads in districts like Badulla remain blocked, cutting off several villages and delaying relief supplies. Residents report shortages of food and clean water, with approximately a third of the country without electricity or running water. Internet connections are also disrupted.

Cyclone Ditwah has moved towards India, leading to flight cancellations at Chennai Airport. Authorities warn of continued heavy rainfall and strong winds in the region over the next 48 hours.

The Sri Lankan government has appealed for international assistance, with India responding first by sending relief supplies, helicopters, and a rescue team. The Indian warship in Colombo also donated rations to victims. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered support for rescue and relief operations.

Flooding along rivers, including the Kelani River, has prompted additional evacuation orders. While rainfall has eased in most parts, northern regions continue to experience showers.

Cyclone Ditwah is Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, surpassing floods and landslides that claimed over 200 lives that year. The last major flood disaster was in June 2003, which killed 254 people.
Tagged:

DisasterRelief

EmergencyAid

SriLankaFloods

CycloneDitwah
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