Sri Lanka declares state of emergency with 132 dead, 176 missing from Cyclone Ditwah. Over 15,000 homes destroyed and 78,000 people in shelters
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah reached 132.
Another 176 people remain missing after a week of torrential rains and severe flooding across the island.
The Disaster Management Centre reported over 15,000 homes destroyed, forcing 78,000 residents into government-run temporary shelters.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws granting him extensive powers to coordinate disaster response.
“We have 132 confirmed dead and another 176 missing,” said DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda.
Military forces including army, navy and air force units have been deployed to bolster relief operations.
A 24-hour rescue operation in Anuradhapura district saved 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, using helicopters and naval boats.
Passenger Shantha described how navy sailors helped them climb onto a roof using ropes to navigate floodwaters.
“We were very lucky… while we were on the roof, a part of it collapsed… three women fell into the water, but they were helped back onto the roof,” he said.
Roads in the central Badulla district remain inaccessible, cutting off villages and blocking relief supplies.
Saman Kumara from Maspanna village reported two deaths with survivors sheltering in a temple and standing house.
“We can’t leave the village and no one can come in because all roads are blocked by earth slips. There is no food and we are short of clean water,” he said.
Approximately one-third of the country lacks electricity and running water after power lines collapsed and water facilities flooded.
Internet connections remain disrupted in many affected areas as Cyclone Ditwah moves toward neighbouring India.
Chennai Airport cancelled 54 flights with forecasts predicting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Fresh landslides hit Kandy district, 115 kilometres east of Colombo, submerging main access roads.
The government has appealed for international assistance and requested cash donations from Sri Lankans abroad.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met Colombo-based diplomats to seek government support for relief efforts.
India responded with two plane loads of supplies while an Indian warship donated its rations to victims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and offered additional assistance.
Flooding worsened in low-lying areas, prompting evacuation orders along the Kelani river near Colombo.
Rain eased in most regions except the north, where residual cyclone effects continue.
This represents Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017 flooding killed over 200 people.
The worst flooding this century occurred in June 2003 with 254 fatalities. – AFP
