Sri Lanka’s death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has climbed to 212, with 218 people still missing, officials said on Sunday, as relentless floods breached a major dam and rescue operations stretched into a fourth day.
Nearly one million people have been affected by heavy rains and widespread flooding that swept across large parts of the island nation, forcing almost 200,000 residents into 1,275 shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre.
Record rainfall since Thursday triggered multiple landslides in the central highlands, while overflowing rivers submerged entire towns. More than 24,000 police, army and air force personnel remain deployed, struggling to reach families still trapped by rising waters.
The military said the air force airlifted over 120 people after floodwaters breached the Mavil Aru Reservoir in the east. Around 2,000 others were moved to higher ground for safety.
Colombo, the commercial capital, is among the worst-hit areas, with dozens of families still marooned in their homes. In Kelaniya, a suburb of Colombo, state agencies and donors are distributing cooked meals, but many say help is inadequate. More than 17,000 people are sheltering in relief camps, awaiting the recession of floodwaters.
Sunethra Priyadarshani, 37, described the ordeal her family endured:
“My sister and I were trapped on the upper floor of our home with our four children for two days. We slowly ran out of food. We only had biscuits and water to give them last night.”
She said the family was eventually rescued by a boat delivering lunch.
“We only have the clothes we are wearing. We will go stay at an aunt’s house for now. But we really need help.”
The irrigation department expects floodwaters to recede over the next three days as the cyclone moves toward southern India. Authorities also said power, water and communication lines, severely damaged by the floods will be gradually restored within the same timeframe.
The regional toll from torrential rains continues to rise, with over 600 deaths reported across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, where floods and landslides have displaced tens of thousands as relief efforts continue.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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