Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Devastating Floods and Landslides in Sri Lanka
At least 56 people have died and 21 are missing in Sri Lanka after devastating floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, marking one of the worst weather-related disasters the country has faced in recent years.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that 21 fatalities occurred in the central tea-growing district of Badulla when a landslide struck homes overnight, burying residents under debris. The island nation’s eastern coast also faced additional rainfall as Cyclone Ditwah brushed the region on Friday, intensifying the ongoing disaster.
Social media footage has shown homes being swept away as floodwaters ravage towns, prompting widespread disruptions. Most train services across Sri Lanka have been canceled, while authorities continue to monitor rivers and issue warnings for low-lying areas. The Kelani River valley, including Colombo, is under a red-level flood alert, with residents advised to move to higher ground.
During a parliamentary session, MP Ajith Perera highlighted an emergency involving a stranded bus near the Kala Wewa reservoir, emphasizing the urgency of rescue operations. Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that the bus passengers were being rescued by authorized military helicopters.
In Anuradhapura, the Sri Lankan Air Force conducted multiple helicopter missions to rescue residents stranded by floodwaters, including a man trapped overnight atop a coconut tree. Authorities warn that continued rainfall, with up to 200mm (7.8 inches) expected in central and northern regions, could worsen conditions over the coming days.
The floods and landslides have impacted nearly 44,000 people, prompting deployment of over 20,500 troops to assist with rescue and relief operations. Key roads and transport links have been closed, and the Advanced Level (A-Level) exams have been postponed due to the extreme weather.
Sri Lanka’s monsoon season has intensified this year, though such extreme flooding is uncommon. The last comparable disaster occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
The floods in Sri Lanka are part of a broader Southeast Asian crisis, with neighboring countries also experiencing severe weather. Indonesia reported 127 deaths, while Thailand’s toll has risen to 145, highlighting the regional scale of the disaster.
