Large parts of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, were flooded on Sunday after a powerful cyclone brought days of heavy rain and mudslides across the country.
Nearly 200 people have been confirmed dead, and many more are missing.
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Officials said the worst-hit areas are in central Sri Lanka, where roads blocked by trees and mudslides are only now being cleared, revealing the full extent of the damage.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 193 people have died and 228 are missing after a week of rain caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The DMC also reported that northern parts of Colombo were flooded after the Kelani River rose sharply.
Although the cyclone has moved toward India, heavy rain upstream continues to flood low-lying communities along the river.
Residents described the destruction:
Selvi, a 46-year-old from Wennawatte, left her flooded home carrying bags of clothes and valuables. She said she did not know where her family would stay.
In Manampitiya, water levels began to fall, exposing major damage. A resident, 72-year-old S. Sivanandan, said he had never seen so much water before. Shops and houses were destroyed, and a car even turned upside down in front of his business.
Authorities warned that although few people were injured, the national blood bank was running very low because floods disrupted blood donation campaigns. Officials appealed to the public to donate.
Experts also said there is a high risk of more landslides because the hillsides are still soaked with rainwater.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and asked for international help.
Countries have begun to respond:
- India sent relief supplies and helicopters for rescue missions, with more on the way.
- Pakistan is sending rescue teams.
- Japan will send an assessment team and promised further help.
More than 25,000 homes have been destroyed, and 147,000 people are now living in temporary shelters. Another 968,000 people need assistance after being displaced.
The army, navy, air force, and many volunteers are working together to rescue people and provide relief.
Cyclone Ditwah is Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when more than 200 people died in flooding and landslides. The worst flooding in recent decades happened in 2003, killing 254 people.