As many as 123 people have been killed, and 130 others are missing across Sri Lanka amid worsening weather conditions triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
Several houses were destroyed completely or partially, leaving thousands of people homeless as the cyclone unleashed torrential rainfall, triggering extensive flooding, landslides in central hill regions and major disruptions in other parts, leaving several areas inaccessible.
Over 43,000 people have been shifted to state-run welfare centres after their houses were destroyed in the torrential rains and floods in the past few days.
“The weather system was moving away from the island towards neighbouring India, but it has already left massive destruction,” the disaster management centre in Sri Lanka said.
Rising floodwaters and landslides have disrupted normal life, and major reservoirs across the island nation are nearing or exceeding their capacities. A massive landslide has been reported in Ankumbura, Galkotuwa area in Kandy district.
Meanwhile, the irrigation department issued a high-risk flood warning for the next 24 hours for the low-lying areas of the Maha Oya Basin.
Three major bridges — Moragahakanda Main Bridge, Elahera Bridge, and Kumara Ella Bridge— were washed away, cutting off vital transport routes and isolating communities in Matale, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, and Uva provinces. These routes are crucial for trade, agriculture, and relief convoys.
The disaster management officials said the severity of the weather has significantly hindered the ability of officials to reach affected sites or carry out on-ground assessments and rescue efforts.
India reaches out with aid
India, on Saturday, sent a contingent of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescuers and specialised search dogs to Sri Lanka for relief and rescue operations.
The teams, along with four rescue dogs, took off onboard an IL-76 IAF aircraft from the Hindon airbase near Delhi for Colombo around 4 am on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed two transport aircraft—C-130 and IL-76—carrying paramilitary personnel and relief material as part of India's humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
