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Cyclone Ditwah Ravages Sri Lanka — At Least 69 Dead as Floods and Landslides Worsen

Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on Sri Lanka's eastern coast and has caused catastrophic flooding and landslides, killing at least 69 people and leaving 34 missing. Helicopters, boats and soldiers have rescued hundreds from rooftops and treetops while entire towns were submerged. Rail, roads, power and communications have been disrupted and dozens of flights diverted. Authorities warn more rain is expected as the storm moves toward Tamil Nadu; immediate relief needs include emergency shelter, food and clean water.

11:05 AM, 11/29/2025Environment
Cyclone Ditwah Ravages Sri Lanka — At Least 69 Dead as Floods and Landslides Worsen

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka's eastern coast on Friday morning, unleashing heavy rains that have caused catastrophic flooding and fast-moving landslides across the island. Authorities say at least 69 people have died and 34 are missing, with hundreds rescued from rooftops, treetops and isolated villages.

Rescue operations and damage

Soldiers, emergency workers and volunteers are using helicopters and boats to evacuate people trapped by rising waters. Entire towns — including areas of cultural and heritage significance — were submerged, and videos from affected areas show floodwaters reaching second floors and sweeping away bridges.

Rail services nationwide have been suspended and several major highways remain blocked. Authorities report widespread power and communications outages in multiple districts, and more than a dozen flights out of Colombo's main international airport have been diverted to other airports in Sri Lanka or to India.

Warnings and international response

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) warned that additional rainfall is expected as Ditwah drifts north and moves toward Tamil Nadu in India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted condolences on X and pledged support, saying India "stands strongly with Sri Lanka" and will assist relief efforts.

VSA Ratnayake, 56, who evacuated his flooded home in Kaduwela near Colombo, said: "I think this could be the worst flood in our area for three decades. I remember a flood in the 1990s when my house was under about 7 feet of water."

A. Gunasekara, director general of Sri Lanka's irrigation department, said the storm produced the "most widespread rainfall in the last decade, covering the entire island."

L.U. Kumara, director of the disaster management organization in Badulla, said: "Most deaths in the district were due to landslides, people buried under houses. We're moving people to emergency relief centers. Our next problems are food and clean water, and we are coordinating with government authorities to provide these necessities."

Officials warned that current flooding may surpass the 2016 deluge, which killed 71 people. By comparison, the 2017 floods and landslides resulted in more than 200 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, highlighting the severe humanitarian risk posed by Ditwah.

Immediate needs

Relief operations are prioritizing search-and-rescue, emergency shelter, distribution of food and safe drinking water, and restoration of communications and power where possible. Local and international aid coordination is expected to increase as access to hard-hit central and eastern districts improves.

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