Cyclone Ditwah Causes Severe Flooding in Sri Lanka, 123 Dead and Over 130 Missing

Severe rainfall and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka have so far claimed the lives of 123 people, with more than 130 reported missing.

According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Center, “rescue operations are ongoing with the assistance of the military.” Following last week’s heavy rains, 43,995 people were relocated to state welfare centers after their homes were destroyed.

The head of the department said that “the weather system is moving away from the island towards India, but widespread destruction has already occurred.” He added that the effects of the system had been felt since Monday, with the cyclone beginning on Wednesday and bringing record rainfall.

Authorities have instructed residents living along the Kelani River to evacuate the area.

While rainfall has decreased in some regions, including the capital Colombo, light showers continue in the northern parts of the island due to Cyclone Ditwah.

Officials have warned that this year’s floods could be more severe than those in 2016, when 71 people lost their lives across the country. Experts noted that this week’s weather losses are the highest since last June, when heavy rains killed 26 people, and December, when floods and landslides claimed 17 lives.

Historically, the deadliest floods in Sri Lanka occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed.

Authorities continue relief and evacuation efforts as the nation copes with the aftermath of the cyclone.