Sri Lanka is facing a severe humanitarian crisis following Cyclone Ditwah’s destructive path, which has resulted in at least 159 deaths and left 203 people missing. The cyclone’s relentless rainfall triggered widespread flooding and devastating landslides across 25 districts, impacting nearly 775,000 individuals. As a result, fresh flood alerts have been issued for eastern Colombo, with the Kelani River reaching dangerous levels, prompting urgent evacuations. Officials are working to establish relief centers in schools and other facilities for the more than 100,000 people displaced. Despite emergency declarations and calls for relocation, many residents are reluctant to leave their homes, complicating rescue and relief efforts. Over 1.2 million people are currently receiving assistance in 919 relief centers. The government has authorized emergency funding for disaster relief operations. International support is also arriving, with Japan sending an assessment team, joining India, the US, and the Maldives in offering aid. While Cyclone Ditwah has moved towards Tamil Nadu, coastal areas and low-lying regions remain at risk from ongoing river surges. Districts like Badulla and Kandy have been particularly hard-hit by landslides, with significant loss of life and property. Widespread power outages are also affecting communities, impacting essential services and the operation of hydropower plants. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, underscoring the immense scale of devastation.
