Sri Lanka is facing one of its most severe weather emergencies in recent years as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, with a sweeping wave of heavy rains, landslides and floods, grips Sri Lanka, leaving a mounting death toll, destruction, and a nation scrambling. This week’s weather-related toll is the highest since June 2024, when 26 people were killed due to heavy rains. Flooding and landslides killed 17 people in December.
Yemen, referring to the famous Detwah Lagoon of Socotra Island, named it “Ditwah,” according to meteorologists. The cyclone was earlier a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal rapidly intensifying before it began its movement toward the eastern coastline of Sri Lanka. Yemen, referring to the famous Detwah Lagoon of Socotra Island, named it “Ditwah,” according to meteorologists. According to the Department of Meteorology, Cyclone Ditwah now lies about 50 kilometres south of Trincomalee, with a forecast to move north-northwest in the next few hours and carry more heavy rain and strong winds to already affected areas.
The DMC confirmed that 56 people have died due to extreme weather incidents linked to Cyclone Ditwah, with twenty-one people remaining missing while 14 have been injured. The DMC further reports that Cyclone Ditwah has completely destroyed four houses and partially damaged 666 others. Flooding and mudslides have forced thousands of families from their homes, while more face disruptions to daily life and are unable to travel, work, or access basic services.
Officials declared that the government has thus allocated Rs. 1.2 billion for disaster relief services. Moreover, the President instructed immediate compensation of Rs. 1 million per disaster victim with the hope of supporting the families who have lost their loved ones or homes.
Water levels are sharply rising owing to heavy rainfall joined by increased releases from upper basin reservoirs, and the Irrigation Department has placed several regions on high alert.
Accordingly, flood alerts have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat areas: Eheliyagoda, Norwood, Yatiyanthota, Galigamuwa, Ruwanwella, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Seethawaka, Dompe, Padukka, Homagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, Wattala, and Colombo. Major flood warnings have also been issued for the low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin. People living along the banks have been asked to be extremely vigilant and take immediate measures to protect their families and property.
RDA said that landslides, uprooted trees, and overflowing streams have badly damaged 75 major roads, where most of the routes connect key districts. Air travel has also been affected, as Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake said flights that cannot land at the Bandaranaike International Airport due to the storm will be diverted to either Trivandrum or Cochin airports in India.
Preliminary assessments have estimated that more than 600,000 acres of crops have been destroyed, most of which are paddy and vegetable fields, and agricultural experts warn that this level of destruction is likely to trigger sharp hikes in vegetable and staple food prices in the coming weeks.
The government has postponed the forthcoming A/L examinations due to hazardous travel conditions and widespread disruptions until further notice.
The Department of Meteorology warned that many districts were likely to receive more than 200 mm of rainfall, with the potential for further landslides, flash floods, and road collapses still very high.
