Cyclone Ditwah Death Toll in Sri Lanka Rises as Massive Flooding Continues

Cyclone Ditwah Death Toll in Sri Lanka Rises as Massive Flooding Continues
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Sri Lanka’s death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has climbed to 212, with 218 people still missing, Reuters reported. Nearly one million residents have been affected by severe flooding and landslides triggered by days of heavy rainfall, forcing close to 200,000 individuals into more than 1,200 emergency shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

Record rains beginning Thursday caused rivers to overflow, submerging towns and damaging critical infrastructure across the island nation. Over 24,000 police and military personnel are continuing rescue efforts into a fourth day to reach families trapped by floodwaters. The Sri Lankan Air Force said more than 120 people were airlifted to safety after water breached the Mavil Aru Reservoir dam in the east, while around 2,000 others were relocated to higher ground.

The capital, Colombo, is among the worst-hit areas, where many residents remain stranded in flooded homes. More than 17,000 people in the region are staying in temporary shelters and report limited access to essential aid. Authorities expect floodwaters to recede gradually over the next three days as the cyclone moves toward southern India. Power, water, and communication services are also expected to be restored as infrastructure repairs progress.