UPDATE: The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has tragically surpassed 120 as Sri Lanka grapples with an escalating humanitarian crisis. Floodwaters continue to engulf large areas of the island nation, leaving emergency services overwhelmed and rescue efforts in disarray.
As of early Saturday, 130 people are reported missing, while the confirmed death toll stands at 123. The cyclone’s relentless assault has submerged entire communities, with distressing accounts emerging from the central region, approximately 100 miles north of Colombo. A group of passengers was forced to climb to the roof of a house after the bus they were traveling in was overtaken by rising waters.
In the eastern part of the country, nearly 100 students remain trapped in hostels without food or water as floodwaters rapidly close in. Additionally, ten families, including vulnerable children and the elderly, are stranded on the second floor of a residential building, desperately awaiting rescue.
The catastrophic flooding has impacted half of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts, with 20 districts reporting the need to evacuate residents to shelters. The extent of the flooding has been described as nearly unprecedented for this nation of 23 million people, further complicating the recovery from previous economic turmoil and the scars of a decades-long civil war.
Authorities from the Disaster Management Center have confirmed that rescue operations are severely hindered by disruptions in transportation and telecommunications, hampering timely assistance. In Badulla district alone, nearly 50 deaths have been reported, with local officials fearing the final toll could be significantly higher.
As Sri Lanka faces this urgent situation, international aid and support are critical for those impacted. The plight of the stranded and the missing highlights the dire need for immediate action. Local officials are calling for assistance as they respond to this escalating disaster.
What happens next is crucial. The government and emergency services are mobilizing resources, but with the situation still developing, the focus must remain on rescuing those in peril and providing necessary aid to affected communities.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. The resilience of the Sri Lankan people is being tested yet again, and immediate support is needed to navigate this devastating crisis.
