Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Ditwah caused massive destruction across Sri Lanka on Friday, killing 46 people and leaving 23 missing. Authorities warned that the storm could strengthen further as it continues to move across the region.
Cyclone Ditwah Caused Deadly Landslide in Badulla
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the worst incident occurred in the central tea-growing district of Badulla, where a landslide swept through several homes overnight and killed 21 people.
Officials described this as one of the most severe weather disasters the country has faced in years.
The DMC reported that 43,991 people have been shifted to schools and public shelters, including many who were rescued from rooftops as floodwaters rose dangerously fast.
Record Rainfall Triggers Landslides
Most of the deaths were caused by landslides after more than 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain fell in the eastern and central parts of Sri Lanka within 24 hours.
Major roads were blocked, homes submerged, and authorities struggled to reach several villages due to mudslides.
Nearly 44,000 people have been directly impacted and about 20,500 army personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Cyclone Ditwah Strengthens as It Nears India
Cyclone Ditwah continues to intensify. The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai issued a three-hour yellow alert on Friday for several districts in Tamil Nadu.
The storm:
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Began as a deep depression and developed into a cyclone
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Is currently positioned over coastal Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal
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Has been moving north–northwest at 10 kmph for the past six hours
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Is expected to deliver over 200 mm (7.8 inches) of additional rainfall in northern and central Sri Lanka
The cyclone’s name, “Ditwah”, was contributed by Yemen and refers to the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island.
Flood Warnings and Infrastructure Shutdowns Amid Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies
River levels continue to rise sharply. A red-level flood warning has been issued for the Kelani River valley, including Colombo, for the next 48 hours, Reuters reported.
The extreme weather has led to:
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Closure of key roads
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Suspension of most train services from 6:00 am Friday
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Shutdown of schools
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Early halt to trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange
Also Read: IMD Warns Cyclone Ditwah Could Reach Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Puducherry This Weekend
Flight Diversions and Air Rescues
Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said some flights could be diverted to Trivandrum or Cochin. Six flights from Muscat, Dubai, New Delhi, and Bangkok were already rerouted, according to BBC.
In Parliament, MP Ajith Perera raised an emergency situation involving a stranded bus near Kala Wewa, saying, “I have been getting multiple reports of a bus that has been stranded near the Kala Wewa for one and a half hours,” urging approval for a helicopter rescue.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that the bus was stopped due to dangerous conditions and said a helicopter had been approved, “They will be rescued.”
In Anuradhapura, a military helicopter carried out three rescue operations, including one dramatic airlift of a man who had spent the night on top of a coconut tree to escape floodwaters.
Brigadier S. Dharmawickrema told, “We are continuing rescue operations in the worst-hit areas, but some villages are difficult to reach because roads are blocked by landslides… we are doing our best to get everyone to safety.”
Exams Postponed Due To Cyclone Ditwah; Rare Weather Event for Sri Lanka
A-level examinations have been postponed due to the worsening weather. Sri Lanka rarely experiences such extreme conditions during the monsoon season. The last major disaster of this scale occurred in 2003, when floods killed 254 people.
Yellow Alerts in Tamil Nadu and Southern India Due to Cyclone Ditwah
The Chennai Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for parts of Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and other districts, forecasting light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas.
