URGENT UPDATE: Sri Lanka is in a state of emergency as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has surged past 120, with authorities confirming 130 individuals are still missing. Floodwaters continue to inundate large areas of the island nation, leaving many stranded and in desperate need of assistance.
Reports indicate that dozens of passengers were forced to climb to the roofs of houses in central Sri Lanka, located approximately 100 miles north of Colombo, after floodwaters submerged their bus. In the eastern region, nearly 100 students remain trapped in hostels without food or water as the relentless flooding surrounds them.
In a heartbreaking scene, ten families, including children and the elderly, are stuck on the second floor of a residential building, highlighting the urgent need for rescue operations. The country’s emergency services are overwhelmed, struggling to respond effectively to the catastrophic flooding affecting 25 districts across the nation of 23 million.
Authorities from the Disaster Management Center reported that deaths have been confirmed in at least half of the affected districts, with 20 districts requiring evacuation efforts to move residents to shelters. The severity of this natural disaster adds to the ongoing struggles of a country still recovering from the scars of a prolonged civil war and recent economic turmoil.
As the situation deteriorates, local officials express fears that the final death toll could be significantly higher. In the central district of Badulla, nearly 50 deaths have been reported, with 41 individuals still unaccounted for, according to the district’s top administrative officer.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by severe disruptions in transport and telecommunications, making it increasingly difficult for emergency services to reach those in need. The urgency for aid has never been greater as communities across Sri Lanka call for immediate support.
As of now, the world watches closely, hoping for swift action and recovery in the face of this devastating cyclone. Authorities are urging anyone in affected areas to seek higher ground and remain vigilant as the situation evolves.
