Home / Disasters and Accidents / Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka: 159 Dead, Thousands Homeless
Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Sri Lanka: 159 Dead, Thousands Homeless
30 Nov
Summary
- At least 159 people confirmed dead as cyclone Ditwah ravages Sri Lanka.
- Nearly 15,000 homes destroyed, leaving over 122,000 people displaced.
- President declared emergency, appealing for international aid amidst devastation.
Cyclone Ditwah has left a trail of destruction across Sri Lanka, with at least 159 confirmed fatalities and over 200 individuals still missing. The extreme weather system has demolished approximately 15,000 homes, forcing nearly 122,000 people into state-run temporary shelters. Many more, totaling 833,000, require assistance after being displaced.
The capital, Colombo, is experiencing severe flooding, particularly in its northern areas, due to rising water levels in the Kelani River. Infrastructure has been heavily impacted, with about a third of the country facing power and water outages. The cyclone's aftermath is considered Sri Lanka's deadliest natural disaster since 2017.
In response to the crisis, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and has appealed for international aid. India was the first to respond with relief supplies and rescue helicopters, while Japan pledged further assistance after assessing immediate needs.
