Colombo

Sri Lanka is reeling from catastrophic flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, with the death toll climbing to 193 and at least 228 people still missing, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

A week of relentless rains unleashed widespread floods and mudslides across the island, cutting off major roads and isolating communities. As rescue teams cleared blocked routes, the full extent of destruction—especially in the central region—has begun to emerge.

“Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the Kelani River,” a DMC official said, as northern Colombo continued to face rising waters.

In Manampitiya, around 250 km northeast of the capital, receding floodwaters have exposed severe devastation. “Manampitiya is flood-prone, but I have never seen such a volume of water,” said 72-year-old resident S. Sivanandan, recounting destroyed homes, businesses, and damaged roads, as per Al Jazeera.

The disaster has also created a critical blood shortage. National Blood Bank chief Lakshman Edirisinghe said only 236 units were collected on Saturday—far below the daily requirement of 1,500. With mobile donation drives halted due to floods, he urged citizens to donate at hospitals and blood banks.

Authorities warn that saturated mountain slopes remain unstable and could trigger additional landslides in the coming days.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance. India became the first responder, dispatching relief supplies and rescue helicopters, while Japan has also pledged support.

Cyclone Ditwah has destroyed over 25,000 homes and forced 147,000 people into temporary shelters. Another 968,000 people are in urgent need of assistance after being displaced. Military personnel are working alongside civilian agencies in an extensive relief effort.

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This is Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when floods and landslides killed more than 200 people. The island’s worst flooding this century occurred in 2003, claiming 254 lives.