Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre reported on Saturday that the death toll from floods and landslides has risen to 123, with another 130 people still missing, as the island nation continues to reel from the effects of Cyclone Ditwah.
Disaster Management Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said week-long torrential rains triggered widespread destruction of homes across multiple districts. Authorities have relocated 43,995 people to state-run welfare centres, where relief operations are ongoing.
Speaking to reporters in Colombo, Kotuwegoda said the rescue and relief efforts are being carried out with support from the armed forces. Severe weather conditions had intensified since Monday, and a cyclone making landfall on Wednesday brought record rainfall across the island.
Flood conditions worsened on Saturday in low-lying areas, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of residents living along the banks of the Kelani River, which flows from Colombo into the Indian Ocean. Water levels surged on Friday evening, forcing hundreds of people into temporary shelters.
Although rainfall has eased in Colombo and many parts of the country, heavy showers continue in northern regions due to the cyclone’s lingering impact.
On Friday, the government closed all public offices and educational institutions as extreme weather damaged more than a hundred homes. Passenger train services in several regions were suspended, and key highways were also closed.
The situation has grown increasingly dire since last week, with sudden downpours submerging homes, farmland and roads. Overflowing rivers and reservoirs have flooded multiple inter-district routes.
Local media published images from Badulla showing a major highway completely cut off by a landslide. Train services in the hill country have also been halted after rocks, mud and fallen trees blocked the tracks, and parts of the railway lines remain submerged.
Sources: NDTV, France24, AFP.