Cyclone Ditwah Death Toll Reaches 334 in Sri Lanka’s Worst Disaster in 20 Years
The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has climbed to 334, with approximately 400 people still missing, making it Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disaster in two decades. Over 1.3 million people have been severely affected by catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by the cyclone.
Key Takeaways
- 334 confirmed deaths and 400 people missing.
- Over 1.3 million people affected, with 200,000 in shelters.
- Critical infrastructure devastated; 25% of electricity customers impacted.
- International relief efforts underway from India, Pakistan, and Japan.
- Cyclone weakening but moving towards Indian coastlines.
Relief workers are now accessing the hardest-hit central regions, including Kandy and Badulla, as they clear roads blocked by mudslides and fallen trees. The full scale of destruction is becoming clear.
Critical Infrastructure Devastated
The cyclone has caused massive damage to essential services:
- Thousands of homes damaged or destroyed.
- Nearly 200,000 people forced into temporary shelters.
- Widespread power and water outages affecting up to 25% of electricity customers.
Although rainfall has subsided, low-lying areas of Colombo remain heavily flooded. Authorities warn that flood levels along the Kelani River may take at least a day to recede.
State of Emergency Declared
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency to expedite rescue and relief operations, promising to rebuild with international support.
“We are facing the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history,” he said in a national address. “Certainly, we will build a better nation than what existed before.”
International Relief Efforts
India launched the first major humanitarian response, with helicopters rescuing 24 stranded people in Kotmale, including a pregnant woman and a wheelchair user. Pakistan has sent rescue teams, while Japan has pledged assistance and dispatched assessment teams.
In a separate incident, a Bell 212 helicopter carrying medical supplies crashed into a river north of Colombo. All five crew members survived.
The massive relief operation continues to focus on restoring essential services and locating the missing. Meanwhile, the weakened Cyclone Ditwah is moving north toward the coastlines of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in India, where it’s triggering heavy rainfall and alerts.
