Sri Lanka flood, landslides death toll rises to 123
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People walking along a flooded street following heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka, on Nov 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Colombo - Torrential rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have killed 123 people across Sri Lanka so far, with another 130 still missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Nov 29.
Director-general Sampath Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo that relief operations with the help of the armed forces were under way, with 43,995 people moved to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed in the week-long heavy rains.
The DMC said the weather system was moving away from the island towards neighbouring India, but it has already left massive destruction.
The effects of the weather system have been felt since Nov 24, although the cyclone made landfall on Nov 26, triggering record rainfall across the island.
The flooding situation in low-lying areas worsened on Nov 29, prompting the authorities to issue evacuation orders for those living along the banks of the Kelani River, which flows into the Indian Ocean from Colombo.
The Kelani burst its banks on Nov 28, forcing hundreds of people to move to temporary shelters, the DMC said.
Rains had subsided in most parts of the country, including the capital, but parts of the island’s north were experiencing showers due to the residual effects of the cyclone.
Officials said India had rushed a planeload of supplies early on Nov 29 for the victims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of life in Sri Lanka and said New Delhi was ready to send more aid.
“We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves,” Mr Modi said on X.
Sri Lanka’s government has deployed the armed forces to bolster rescue and relief operations across the country, with military helicopters and boats used to evacuate marooned residents.
DMC officials said they expected flood levels to be worse than in 2016, when 71 people were killed nationwide.
Residents looking through the balcony of a house in an area affected by the floods in Malwana, Sri Lanka, on Nov 29.
PHOTO: REUTERS
This week’s weather-related toll is the highest since June 2024, when 26 people were killed following heavy rains. In December, 17 people died in flooding and landslides.
The worst flooding Sri Lanka has experienced since the turn of the century occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed. AFP
