KELANIYA, SRI LANKA – Sri Lanka’s death toll from Cyclone Ditwah rose to 212 on Sunday, with 218 people still missing, as floodwaters breached a dam and rescue operations entered their fourth day. Nearly a million residents have been affected by heavy rains and widespread flooding, forcing around 200,000 people into 1,275 emergency shelters across the country, according to the Disaster Management Centre.
Record rainfall since Thursday triggered landslides in the central highlands and caused rivers to overflow, submerging towns nationwide. More than 24,000 police, army, and air force personnel continue to reach families stranded by the rising waters. In the eastern region, over 120 people were airlifted to safety after the Mavil Aru Reservoir dam overflowed, while another 2,000 were moved to higher ground.
Colombo, the nation’s commercial hub, has been among the worst affected, with dozens of families trapped in their homes. In the suburb of Kelaniya, state agencies and aid groups have supplied food, but many residents report inadequate assistance. Sunethra Priyadarshani, 37, described being stranded on the upper floor of her home with four children for two days, surviving on only biscuits and water until rescued by a boat delivering food.
Authorities expect floodwaters to gradually recede over the next three days as the cyclone moves toward southern India. Power, water, and communication services, damaged by swept-away transmission lines and transformers, are also expected to be restored during this period.
Meanwhile, across Southeast Asia, flooding and landslides in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have claimed over 600 lives, as rescue teams continue to assist tens of thousands of displaced residents.