Sri Lanka Hit by Deadly Floods and Landslides as Cyclone Ditwah Brings Torrential Rain

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Sri Lanka is facing one of its most disruptive weather disasters in recent years as Cyclone Ditwah unleashes relentless rainfall, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides across multiple districts. Meteorological officials reported more than 300 mm of rainfall in several areas within a single day, overwhelming rivers, reservoirs, and drainage systems. As the rain continued without pause, entire neighborhoods were submerged, forcing families to flee in the middle of the night while rescue teams battled rising water and debris-blocked roads to reach stranded residents.

According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), at least 46 people have been confirmed dead, while 23 others remain missing, primarily due to landslides that buried homes and sudden flash floods sweeping through low-lying areas. Several international news outlets, including Al Jazeera and Reuters, reported that the death toll may rise as rescue teams gain access to remote and mountainous regions where communication has been severely disrupted. Officials have warned that these numbers are provisional because many villages remain cut off by collapsed slopes and washed-out roads.

More than 43,000 residents have been displaced and moved to temporary shelters such as schools, public halls, and emergency camps set up by local authorities. Many were rescued in challenging conditions, with water levels rising so quickly that families were forced to climb onto rooftops and signal for help using flashlights or phone screens. Emergency workers and military units have been working around the clock to transport trapped civilians by boat or improvised rafts as continued rainfall causes new areas to flood and previously safe zones to become hazardous.

The extreme weather has caused widespread damage to essential infrastructure. Major highways and railway lines were shut down after severe flooding washed away sections of track and triggered mudslides that blocked roads. Public transportation services were suspended in heavily affected districts, schools were instructed to close for safety, and government offices were shut down as conditions deteriorated. Even the Colombo Stock Exchange shortened its trading hours because of power interruptions, staff safety concerns, and the growing transportation crisis caused by the storm.

Rescue operations remain ongoing, with the Sri Lankan military, police, and specialized disaster units conducting coordinated missions across the island. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift people stranded in high-risk zones, while boats continue to ferry residents from submerged neighborhoods to safer areas. Many operations are hindered by fast-moving water, unstable ground, and persistent rain, making it difficult to predict where new landslides might occur. Officials emphasized that continuous monitoring is essential as saturated soil increases the likelihood of additional collapses.

The central highlands—particularly tea-growing regions known for steep, fragile slopes—have experienced some of the most devastating damage. Landslides have buried homes, blocked access roads, and left entire communities isolated. Weather experts warn that the ground remains dangerously unstable after prolonged heavy rainfall, and even moderate showers in the coming days could trigger further landslides. Because of this, authorities have issued repeated advisories urging residents in vulnerable terrain to relocate temporarily, even if their homes appear safe at the moment.

Although official numbers from the DMC list 46 dead and 23 missing, several credible media outlets report that the total may exceed 50 fatalities, reflecting the complexity of rescue operations and limited access to disaster zones. Humanitarian agencies estimate that thousands more will require ongoing assistance in the coming weeks as homes, roads, and public facilities remain damaged or unsafe to use. With emergency shelters filling up and weather conditions still unstable, Sri Lanka is preparing for the possibility of prolonged disruptions while authorities race to restore essential services and reach those still awaiting help.