Post by : Rameen Ariff

Sri Lanka is facing severe devastation after Cyclone Ditwah swept across the island on Friday, leaving at least 46 people dead and 23 still missing, according to emergency officials. The Sri Lanka cyclone brought intense rainfall exceeding 300mm in just 24 hours, causing deadly landslides and widespread flooding, especially in the eastern and central regions.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that nearly 44,000 people have been evacuated to schools and public shelters as water levels rose rapidly. Many families trapped on rooftops were rescued overnight as emergency teams battled harsh weather conditions.

Authorities confirmed that schools remain closed and train services are suspended across affected districts. The Colombo Stock Exchange was also forced to halt trading early due to persistent heavy rains brought by Cyclone Ditwah.

Brigadier S. Dharmawickrema, Emergency Operations Director at the DMC, said rescue teams are working continuously, but access to several villages has become extremely difficult. “Roads are blocked by landslides and debris. Some areas are completely cut off, but we are doing everything possible to bring people to safety,” he told Reuters.

As the Sri Lanka storm continues to intensify, the government has warned that weather conditions may worsen over the next 12 hours. The Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry said flights may be diverted from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport to Trivandrum or Cochin in India if the situation escalates. Local media reported that flights from Muscat, Dubai, New Delhi, and Bangkok have already been redirected.

Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid flooded areas, and follow instructions from authorities as Sri Lanka rescue operations continue across the country. With the storm still active, officials fear the death toll could rise further if rains continue at the same pace.

#Global News #Asia News