Entire areas of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, are flooded after Cyclone Ditwah triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported at least 193 deaths, with 228 people still missing, making it the country's deadliest natural disaster in years.
Relief workers are clearing roads blocked by fallen trees and mudslides in the worst-affected central region. The DMC said northern parts of Colombo were inundated as the Kelani River rose rapidly. 'Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River,' a DMC official stated.
Residents have been forced to flee their homes. Selvi, 46, from the Colombo suburb of Wennawatte, told Agence France-Presse: 'My house is completely flooded. I don't know where to go, but I hope there is some safe shelter where I can take my family.' In Manampitiya, 156 miles north-east of Colombo, water levels receded to reveal extensive destruction. A 72-year-old resident, S Sivanandan, said he had never seen such a volume of water, with businesses and property damaged extensively.
The National Building Research Organisation warned of a high risk of further landslides as mountain slopes remain saturated. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international aid. India responded first, sending relief supplies and two helicopters for rescue missions, with two more due to join. Pakistan is also sending rescue teams, and Japan pledged to send an assessment team.
The cyclone has destroyed more than 25,000 homes and forced 147,000 people into state-run shelters, with a further 968,000 requiring assistance. Troops from the army, navy and air force have been deployed alongside civilian workers and volunteers. The climate crisis is believed to have affected storm patterns, leading to heavier rainfall and stronger winds. This is Sri Lanka's deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when flooding and landslides killed over 200 people.
