Sri Lanka faces its deadliest natural disaster in two decades as floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have claimed 334 lives, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed on Sunday. Nearly 400 people remain missing, while over 1.3 million residents across the island are affected by the record-breaking rains.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and pledged to rebuild the nation with international support. “We are confronting the most challenging disaster in our history,” he said, promising a stronger recovery.
The destruction is the worst since the 2004 tsunami that killed around 31,000 people and left over a million homeless. Floodwaters have started to recede, but many low-lying areas in Colombo remain submerged, prompting a massive relief effort.
Tragically, a Bell 212 helicopter delivering supplies to a stranded hospital north of Colombo crashed, injuring all five crew members. Meanwhile, rescue operations continue, with Indian and Pakistani teams assisting, and Japan sending experts to evaluate immediate needs.
Residents report widespread devastation. Selvi, 46, described her Colombo home as “completely flooded,” while towns like Manampitiya revealed overturned cars, destroyed businesses, and massive water damage. In Wellawaya, residents witnessed boulders and trees tumbling down mountainsides, forcing evacuations.
Authorities warn that flood levels in Colombo may take at least a day to fully recede, though dry weather is expected. The National Blood Transfusion Service also highlighted a shortage of blood supplies despite relatively few injuries.
This disaster surpasses the 2003 floods, which claimed 254 lives, marking it as the deadliest flood in Sri Lanka in over 20 years.
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