Cyclone Ditwah blasted devastating winds and unrelenting downpour on Friday, intensifying rescue efforts throughout Sri Lanka. By evening, government officials reported that at least 69 people had died. Authorities cautioned that more flooding is anticipated over the next twelve hours and that the death toll is likely to rise.
Early on Friday, the hurricane made landfall on the eastern coast of the nation, causing widespread pandemonium as torrential downpours raced over the central and eastern areas. According to officials, landslides brought on by more than 12 inches (30 cm) of rainfall have been connected to the majority of fatalities.
Approximately 44,000 people nationally have been impacted, according to the Disaster Management Center. Over 3,000 homes have been damaged by mudslides and floods, and thousands have sought safety in public buildings and schools. Rescue and evacuation operations have been made more difficult by overflowing rivers and reservoirs.
To assist with ongoing search activities, police and military teams have been stationed all around the nation. As flight delays continue to increase, Sri Lankan Airlines stated that it is keeping an eye on the changing weather conditions.
According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, India has started emergency relief efforts to aid its neighbor, shipping 6.5 metric tons of food supplies. On social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his sympathies and stated that India is prepared to offer more assistance if necessary.
Officials in Sri Lanka cautioned that the flooding might be comparable to the destruction caused by intense rainstorms in 2016, which resulted in over 100 fatalities and hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for a number of coastal districts that are expected to see exceptionally heavy rainfall in the next few hours as Cyclone Ditwah moves closer to the country's southern coast.
