Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has swept across parts of Southeast Asia, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Heavy rainfall, severe flooding and deadly landslides have affected Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, with authorities reporting more than 450 confirmed deaths and many more unaccounted for.
Human toll and access challenges
As rescue teams race to reach isolated communities, officials warn the death toll is likely to rise. "The death toll is believed to be increasing, since many bodies are still missing, while many have not been reached," said Suharyanto, head of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Flooded roads, washed-out bridges and landslides continue to block access to hard-hit areas, hampering relief efforts.
Devastating rainfall and landslides
Officials in Sri Lanka described the event as the most widespread rainfall the island has experienced in a decade. "This is the most widespread rainfall in the last decade, covering the entire island," said A. Gunasekara, director general of Sri Lanka's irrigation department. In central highland districts, many fatalities have been attributed to landslides that buried homes and hillside settlements.
"Most deaths in the district were due to landslides, people buried under houses," said L.U. Kumara, director of the disaster management body in Badulla, Sri Lanka. "We’re moving people to emergency relief centers. Our next problem is food and clean water, but we are coordinating with different government authorities to provide these necessities."
Survivors' accounts
Residents recounted harrowing escapes from rising waters. Somporn Petchtae of Thailand said that, while their home was not flooded, they were stranded and unable to travel for days. Amphorn Kaeophengkro described how she and several relatives spent two days perched on a table, a window frame and a washing machine on the second floor of their home just to survive. "We weren’t thinking about anything else except surviving," she said.
Response and needs
Governments, military units and aid organizations are mobilizing to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water and medical aid. The scale of damage to roads, power and water infrastructure complicates distribution and search operations. Authorities have urged communities to follow evacuation orders and to remain cautious of secondary hazards such as mudslides and contaminated water.
Rescue operations are ongoing. Officials have called for additional international assistance and logistical support to reach the most isolated communities and to address immediate humanitarian needs.
