Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Ditwah Death Toll Climbs to 153 as Flooding Spreads

Malwana – Sri Lanka’s death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has risen sharply to 153 as widespread flooding and landslides continue to affect communities across the country, with officials reporting nearly 200 people still missing and more than half a million impacted nationwide.

The Disaster Management Centre said that over 78,000 individuals have been relocated to nearly 800 relief shelters, most of which have been set up inside schools as emergency teams struggle to reach isolated regions.

Heavy rainfall triggered some of the worst flooding seen in more than a decade, overwhelming homes, disrupting essential services and complicating rescue operations throughout the Western Province and nearby districts.

Police units, naval teams and army personnel have been deployed in large numbers to distribute food, clear blocked roads and evacuate families trapped in rapidly rising waters.

Across the town of Malwana, located about 20 kilometres from Colombo, entire neighbourhoods along the Kelani River were submerged, leaving residents without electricity and forced to abandon their belongings as waters surged unexpectedly.

Many families fled with only essential items in hand, while others sought refuge on higher floors of partially flooded houses, hoping the water levels would recede before further damage occurred.

Among those displaced was Mallika Kumari, who escaped with her family after their home was submerged up to the roof in a matter of hours as floodwaters climbed rapidly.

Kumari described how she hurried her three children and husband into a rented vehicle and spent the night along the roadside, uncertain about when or if they would be able to return.

Kumari and hundreds of her neighbours have relied on rescue boats to retrieve basic necessities, including clothing and school materials, after their homes were inundated.

The overflowing Kelani River has long been prone to seasonal flooding, but residents say this year’s surge was faster and more destructive than expected, leaving little time to prepare or respond.

Medical concerns are rising as families at relief centres report cases of flu-like symptoms, especially among children who were exposed to cold floodwaters for extended periods.

Access to medication and clean water remains a challenge, and authorities have warned of potential health risks if stagnant water persists in densely populated areas.

Meanwhile, local volunteers and community groups have stepped in to help ease the strain on displaced families by providing meals and distributing supplies at makeshift shelters.

At the Dalugala Thakiya Mosque, volunteers prepared large batches of rice, chicken and dhal curry for affected residents, with organisers increasing output to meet growing demand.

The volunteers said that many of those requesting meals are daily wage earners who have lost their income due to business closures and transportation disruptions.

Small shop owners, pharmacists and textile merchants in flood-affected areas report significant damage to their inventory and premises as water swept through commercial blocks.

Authorities have warned that continued rainfall is expected throughout the weekend, raising concerns about additional flooding in regions that are already saturated and at risk of landslides.

Meteorological forecasts indicate persistent instability across several districts, prompting further evacuation advisories and a call for residents to remain alert.

Emergency teams are prioritising high-risk areas where flood levels remain dangerously elevated and where families are stranded without communication or transport.

Boats and high-mobility vehicles are being used to access neighbourhoods isolated by debris-filled streets, ensuring that food and medical supplies reach those most in need.

Officials say the full scale of damage will become clearer only after waters recede, but early assessments suggest long-term challenges for infrastructure, agriculture and small businesses.

The government has urged citizens to follow safety advisories, cooperate with rescue teams and move immediately to designated shelters when instructed.

As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, communities are bracing for further rainfall while volunteers, authorities and humanitarian groups work tirelessly to support families struggling to recover.

The coming days are expected to be critical as relief operations intensify and the nation confronts the widespread destruction left behind by one of its most severe weather events in recent years.