Sri Lanka is facing one of its deadliest natural disasters as at least 334 people have died and 370 remain missing in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which unleashed torrential rain, flash floods and catastrophic landslides across multiple districts.
Severe casualties reported on Sunday from Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale—regions home to economically vulnerable plantation communities. Heart-wrenching visuals showed colonial-era line rooms housing Malaiyaha Tamils collapsing under landslides as soaked hillsides gave way.
According to the Daily Mirror, Kandy is the worst-affected district in Sri Lanka, reporting 88 deaths and 150 missing persons. Badulla has recorded 71 deaths, while Nuwara Eliya reported 68 deaths. In Matale, 23 deaths have been confirmed, along with several other major casualties.
Cyclone Ditwah, According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre:
- 11 lakh+ people have been affected
- Nearly 2 lakh displaced residents are currently sheltered in relief centres
- Landslides and record rainfall have devastated large parts of the island
President Vows Rebuilding Support
In a televised address, President Dissanayake said,
“Every life lost is not merely a number; every life carried a name, a face, and a story.”
He assured families that the government would work tirelessly to rebuild affected regions.
India Extends Major Rescue Support
Indian and Sri Lankan forces jointly conducted large-scale rescue operations.
The Indian Air Force carried out “hybrid rescue missions” to evacuate stranded passengers.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo facilitated the evacuation of 400 stranded Indian nationals, flying:
- 150 people to Delhi on C130
- 250 to Trivandrum on IL-76
Both aircraft had earlier arrived with relief materials and humanitarian aid.
Andhra Pradesh on High Alert due to Cyclone Ditwah
As Cyclone Ditwah moves inland, the Andhra Pradesh government has identified 7,871 pregnant women near delivery in vulnerable districts.
- 375 women have already been shifted to hospitals
- The Health Department is moving the remaining women to ensure safe and timely medical care
Cyclone Ditwah continues to impact thousands across the region as rescue teams race against time to locate missing people, restore connectivity, and deliver urgent aid.
Strong Winds Forecast in Tamil Nadu
Cyclone Ditwah continues to impact thousands across the region as rescue teams race against time to locate missing people, restore connectivity, and deliver urgent aid.
The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday across Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Vellore districts.
Additionally, isolated heavy rain is expected in Tirupathur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Puducherry.
The department has also warned of strong winds reaching 60–70 kmph, with gusts up to 80 kmph, likely to impact the north coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Karaikal coast.
According to Tamil Nadu revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran, at least three people have died in rain-related incidents triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
