Sri Lanka Declares State of Emergency Amidst Severe Flooding and Cyclone Impact

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency following devastating flooding caused by Cyclone “Ditwa,” which has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. According to the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll has risen to 132, with 176 people still missing.

The cyclone’s heavy rains have caused severe flooding across the island, leaving more than 15,000 homes destroyed and forcing 78,000 people to seek refuge in government-run temporary shelters. The government has also called for international assistance to cope with the disaster.

The disaster unfolded after a week of continuous heavy rainfall, with President Anura Kumar Dissanayake invoking emergency laws to tackle the crisis. In response, the Sri Lankan military, including the army, navy, and air force, has been mobilised to assist with search and rescue efforts. On Saturday, a military operation in the Anuradhapura district successfully rescued 69 people, including a German tourist, using helicopters and navy boats.

As Cyclone Ditwa moves away from Sri Lanka towards India, the destruction it left behind remains catastrophic. The cyclone’s effects were felt from Monday, but it directly struck on Wednesday, bringing record rainfall across the island. The situation worsened over the weekend, particularly in low-lying areas, with the Kelani River near Colombo threatening to overflow. Authorities have advised residents along the riverbanks to evacuate.

The DMC has expressed concern that the flooding may exceed the scale of the 2016 disaster, which saw 71 lives lost. This year’s flooding already marks the deadliest weather-related event since then, surpassing fatalities from other recent natural disasters in Sri Lanka. The most severe flood in recent history occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed.