69 killed by flooding and mudslides in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah

Nov. 28 In Sri Lanka, military forces are engaged in extensive rescue operations to save hundreds of people stranded due to severe flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The storm has claimed at least 69 lives, with 34 individuals still unaccounted for. Helicopters and boats have been deployed to evacuate residents from rooftops, treetops, and submerged villages.

The Disaster Management Center reported that the central region, hit hardest by the cyclone, has seen many victims buried by mudslides. Entire towns, including heritage areas, have been submerged, with water levels reaching the second floors of buildings and sweeping away bridges, according to The New York Times.

Rail services have been halted, major highways are blocked, and communication and electricity have been disrupted in various areas. In Colombo, the main international airport announced that over a dozen flights have been rerouted within Sri Lanka or to India.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the eastern coast of Sri Lanka on Friday morning. Heavy rains have flooded numerous parts of the island. A boy was photographed holding a cat rescued from the rising waters in a Colombo suburb.

The Disaster Management Center warned that more rain is expected as Ditwah moves north toward Tamil Nadu in India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on X, offering support and prayers for the affected families in Sri Lanka and assuring assistance during this crisis.

Local resident VSA Ratnayake, 56, described evacuating his home in Kaduwela near Colombo, calling the flooding "the worst in three decades," recalling severe floods from the 1990s. A. Gunasekara, head of Sri Lankas irrigation department, stated that the cyclone has caused the most extensive rainfall across the island in the last ten years.

L.U. Kumara, director of the disaster management organization in Badulla, noted that most fatalities resulted from landslides burying people under homes. Authorities are relocating citizens to emergency shelters and coordinating food and clean water supplies with government agencies.

Officials warn that this flood may surpass the 2016 disaster, which claimed 71 lives. Past floods and landslides, particularly in 2017, caused over 200 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

Analysis: Sri Lanka Faces Severe Flooding After Cyclone Ditwah

The scale of Cyclone Ditwah's impact in Sri Lanka is alarming. With at least 69 confirmed deaths and 34 individuals still missing, the disaster management and military response is stretched across multiple regions. Central areas, hit hardest by mudslides, have seen entire towns submerged, with water reaching the second floors of buildings and bridges swept away.

Transport and communication networks have been severely disrupted. Rail services are halted, highways blocked, and electricity and telecommunications remain unstable. Colombo’s main international airport has rerouted several flights, reflecting the cyclone’s nationwide operational impact.

Authorities are focusing on evacuations using helicopters and boats, relocating residents to emergency shelters, and coordinating food and water distribution. Officials warn that ongoing rainfall could worsen the situation, potentially exceeding previous disasters in 2016 and 2017. Early warnings and international cooperation, including support from India, remain critical in mitigating further casualties and infrastructure loss.

Local accounts, including that of VSA Ratnayake, highlight the unprecedented nature of this flood in decades, underscoring both the human and historical context. The disaster underscores the importance of preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and rapid response to extreme weather events in Sri Lanka.

Sources:

• Sri Lanka Cyclone Ditwah kills 69 people by flooding, mudslides