COLOMBO, November 28, 2025: Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on Friday, killing at least 46 people and leaving 23 missing as torrential rains and landslides swept through several regions, authorities said. The Disaster Management Centre reported widespread destruction as rescue operations continued in the eastern and central parts of the island, which were among the hardest hit. Heavy rainfall exceeding 300 millimetres within 24 hours caused extensive flooding and triggered multiple landslides, particularly in the districts of Batticaloa, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. Officials said most fatalities were recorded in hillside areas where homes were buried under mud and debris. The downpours also washed away bridges, damaged roads, and disrupted electricity and communication lines, complicating rescue efforts.
More than 43,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters, including schools and community centres, after floodwaters submerged homes and cut off entire villages. Emergency teams, supported by the Sri Lankan military, are conducting search and rescue missions to reach isolated areas where access remains difficult. Helicopters and boats have been deployed to assist families stranded in flooded zones, and medical teams have been dispatched to evacuation sites to treat injuries and prevent disease outbreaks. Authorities said rescue workers are continuing to search for those missing in the wake of the storm. The Sri Lankan Navy confirmed that several fishing boats from the eastern coast have not yet returned, and coastal surveillance is being expanded to locate them.
Heavy rains and landslides cause widespread devastation
Meanwhile, local government officials are assessing damage to infrastructure and agricultural land across affected districts. Public services across much of the island have been suspended. Schools remain closed, and train operations were halted nationwide due to submerged rail lines and debris. The Colombo Stock Exchange ended trading early on Friday amid power outages and transport disruptions. Government offices in several regions were closed as a precaution while emergency crews cleared blocked roads and repaired damaged power lines. The Department of Meteorology said the cyclone continues to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds as it moves across the island, warning of possible flooding in low-lying areas and the risk of additional landslides in saturated soil zones. Officials urged residents to follow evacuation orders and remain indoors until weather conditions stabilize.
Storm exposes vulnerability to extreme weather
According to the department, major reservoirs are nearing capacity, and controlled water releases may be necessary to prevent overflow. President Ranil Wickremesinghe held an emergency meeting with the National Disaster Relief Services Centre and the armed forces to coordinate the national response. He directed officials to ensure the swift delivery of aid, food, and clean water to those displaced. The government said relief supplies are being distributed to all major evacuation shelters, and additional resources are being deployed to provinces most affected by the storm. Cyclone Ditwah is the most powerful tropical system to impact Sri Lanka in recent years, bringing widespread rainfall and damaging winds across multiple provinces.
The Disaster Management Centre said it continues to monitor conditions closely and will provide regular updates as the situation develops. As cleanup and recovery operations expand, authorities are focusing on restoring transport links, clearing debris, and securing critical infrastructure. The Meteorology Department said that while rainfall is expected to gradually decrease over the next day, localized storms may persist in some areas. The full extent of damage is still being assessed, but early reports indicate extensive destruction to homes, crops, and public infrastructure. Officials said emergency operations will continue until all affected communities are reached and essential services restored. – By Content Syndication Services.