Floods and Landslides in Sri Lanka Claim 153 Lives as State of Emergency Declared

Sri Lanka is reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Dituar, which has triggered sudden floods and landslides, claiming at least 153 lives. Authorities report that 191 individuals remain missing, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. In addition, Colombo has appealed for international assistance to manage the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

The island nation, located in the Indian Ocean, has been experiencing incessant heavy rainfall for over a week. The prolonged downpours have caused widespread destruction, forcing President Ranil Wickremesinghe to take immediate action to mitigate further damage.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka has reported that more than 20,000 homes have been damaged by the floods, while approximately 108,000 people have been relocated to government-run temporary shelters. DMC spokesperson Pradeep Kodippilli further revealed that nearly 798,000 people affected by the disaster require urgent humanitarian aid and basic necessities.

Among the casualties, 11 residents of a care home in Kurunegala district, located in the north-central region, were killed when the facility was engulfed by floodwaters on Saturday evening. The tragedy highlights the heightened vulnerability of elderly and disadvantaged populations during natural disasters.

Military, naval, and air force personnel have been deployed to support relief and rescue operations. On Saturday, the armed forces rescued 69 stranded passengers, including a German tourist, who had been trapped in Anuradhapura district. Survivors recounted the harrowing experience, with one passenger, W.M. Shantha, describing how naval personnel helped them climb to the rooftop of a nearby house using ropes as floodwaters rose.

“Part of the roof collapsed while we were on it, and three women fell into the water. Fortunately, they were helped back up,” Shantha said. Initial plans to airlift the group by helicopter were abandoned due to strong winds threatening to lift the roof, leading to their eventual rescue by naval boats.

The Sri Lankan government has stressed the urgent need for international support to cope with the scale of the disaster, emphasising that local resources are insufficient to address the massive humanitarian requirements.