Cyclone Ditwah leaves 123 dead and 130 missing in Sri Lanka, with 44,000 evacuated and India sending aid as flood levels may surpass 2016 records
COLOMBO: The death toll from torrential rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 123 across Sri Lanka.
Disaster Management Centre Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda confirmed another 130 people remain missing as of Saturday.
Relief operations are underway with 43,995 people moved to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed.
The weather system is moving away from the island towards neighbouring India but has already left massive destruction.
“Relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway,” Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo.
The cyclone made landfall on Wednesday, triggering record rainfall across the island after effects were felt since Monday.
Flooding in low-lying areas worsened on Saturday, prompting evacuation orders for those living along the banks of the Kelani River.
The Kelani burst its banks on Friday evening, forcing hundreds to move to temporary shelters.
Rains had subsided in most parts including the capital, but northern areas still experienced showers from the cyclone’s residual effects.
India rushed a planeload of supplies early on Saturday for the victims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said New Delhi was ready to send more aid.
“We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves,” Modi said on X.
The government has deployed armed forces with military helicopters and boats to evacuate marooned residents.
DMC officials expect flood levels to be worse than in 2016 when 71 people were killed nationwide.
This week’s weather-related toll is the highest since June last year when 26 people died from heavy rains.
The worst flooding this century occurred in June 2003 when 254 people were killed. – AFP
