Colombo [Sri Lanka], November 30 (ANI): Devastating floods have swept through parts of Colombo as Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with the death toll rising to 193 and another 228 people still missing, Al Jazeera reported, citing a statement from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
The cyclone’s relentless weeklong rains triggered widespread floods and mudslides across the island. Only now — after rescue teams cleared blocked roads — is the true scale of destruction in the central region becoming clear.
“Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River,” a DMC official said, as northern parts of the capital faced rising floodwaters.
In Manampitiya, about 250 km (155 miles) northeast of Colombo, receding waters revealed catastrophic damage. “Manampitiya is a flood-prone town, but I have never seen such a volume of water,” said 72-year-old resident S. Sivanandan, describing ruined homes, businesses, and roads, as per Al Jazeera.
The disaster has also created a medical emergency. Blood supplies have plunged to dangerously low levels, with blood bank chief Lakshman Edirisinghe reporting just 236 units collected on Saturday — far short of the daily need of 1,500.
“Because of floods and heavy rains, we were unable to conduct our mobile campaigns to collect blood,” he said, urging people to donate at hospitals and blood banks, according to Al Jazeera.
Authorities have further warned that saturated mountain slopes could trigger additional landslides in the coming days.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance. India was the first to respond, sending relief supplies and rescue helicopters, while Japan has also pledged support.
The cyclone has destroyed more than 25,000 homes, forcing 147,000 people into temporary shelters, with another 968,000 requiring assistance after being displaced. Military personnel are working alongside civilian responders in a massive relief effort.
This marks Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when floods and landslides claimed more than 200 lives. The country’s worst flooding this century occurred in June 2003, killing 254 people. (ANI)
About The Author
