Cyclone Ditwah continued its destructive path across Sri Lanka on Friday, with the Cyclone Ditwah death toll rising to 46 and 23 people still missing as the country faced widespread flooding and worsening weather conditions. Officials warned that torrential rains and strong winds could intensify the crisis over the next 12 hours.
Most of the casualties contributing to the growing Cyclone Ditwah death toll were caused by landslides triggered by over 300mm (12 inches) of rainfall in Sri Lanka’s eastern and central regions. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), nearly 44,000 residents have been affected, with many taking refuge in schools and public shelters.
Authorities cautioned that the Cyclone Ditwah death toll could rise further as flooding continues to expand across southern and eastern Sri Lanka, including large parts of the capital, Colombo. The Irrigation Department said that already swollen rivers and reservoirs are expected to overflow further, posing escalating risks to communities.
In response to the rapidly increasing Cyclone Ditwah death toll, the Colombo Stock Exchange halted trading early, while schools and train services remained suspended. Coordinated rescue efforts by the military and police included the dramatic airlifting of 13 people trapped on a bridge in Polonnaruwa, located 220 km northeast of Colombo.
Footage released by the air force showed several families being rescued from rooftops, as well as a man airlifted from the top of a coconut tree—highlighting the extreme conditions contributing to concerns surrounding the Cyclone Ditwah death toll.
At Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), heavy rains caused operational disruptions, forcing 15 flights to be diverted to airports in southern India. Officials said the situation remains fluid as weather conditions worsen and continue to add pressure to emergency services already responding to the disaster and rising Cyclone Ditwah death toll.
India delivered 6.5 metric tons of food aid to support Sri Lanka’s relief operations, the Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed, noting that assistance was urgently needed as the Cyclone Ditwah death toll continues to climb. The cyclone has moved northward toward southern India but its trailing rains continue to batter Sri Lanka.
More than 20,000 police and military personnel have been deployed to evacuate residents in multiple towns, including those on the outskirts of Colombo, where rising floodwaters have put thousands at risk. Authorities believe their efforts are crucial in preventing further increases in the Cyclone Ditwah death toll.
“Strong winds are making the floods worse. We moved furniture from two nearby houses to safer ground, and now I’m heading to the shelter with my family,” said Mohammed Rumy, a 70-year-old resident of Wellampitiya, describing the chaos contributing to the growing Cyclone Ditwah death toll.
