Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll climbs past 120 as authorities intensify rescue operations and evacuations.
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| A man steers a makeshift raft through a flooded street after heavy rain in Ambatale on the outskirts of Colombo on November 29, 2025. Photo by Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images |
The Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll continued to rise on Saturday, deepening national concern as authorities struggled to respond to widespread flooding, massive infrastructure damage, and the humanitarian crisis caused by a week of relentless rain. Disaster officials reported that at least 123 people have died so far, while 130 others remain missing, leaving families across the island anxiously awaiting news as rescue teams navigate destroyed roads, unstable terrain, and dangerously high water levels. The increasing Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll highlights the severity of one of the most destructive weather events the island has faced in years.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed that ongoing operations have already displaced tens of thousands of residents. According to Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda, more than 43,995 people have been moved to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by continuous flooding. Authorities said these numbers are likely to grow, given that several regions remain inaccessible and assessments are incomplete.
Cyclone Ditwah, which brought days of torrential rain before making landfall on Wednesday, is now moving away from Sri Lanka toward India. However, the damage left behind is extensive, and recovery operations are only beginning. Kotuwegoda emphasized that “relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway,” noting that military personnel have been deployed across the island to support evacuations, distribute aid, and clear debris.
The severe weather system has affected Sri Lanka since Monday, gradually intensifying before unleashing record-breaking rainfall across multiple provinces. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, bridges washed away, and farm areas destroyed, leaving residents grappling with a crisis that escalated faster than authorities could respond. In many regions, flood levels rose overnight, catching people off guard and forcing hurried evacuations.
By Saturday morning, low-lying areas faced the worst conditions. Officials issued urgent evacuation orders for communities living along the Kelani River, which flows through the capital and into the Indian Ocean. The river burst its banks on Friday evening, unleashing a surge of water that swept into villages and suburban areas, forcing hundreds to flee to temporary shelters.
The DMC reported that the flooding situation along the Kelani remained volatile throughout Saturday, describing the river’s rise as “rapid and dangerous.” Many residents had little time to salvage belongings before being escorted to safer ground by military boats and emergency workers.
Although rainfall had eased in most parts of Sri Lanka by Saturday—including Colombo—officials warned that several northern districts were still experiencing showers as residual effects of Cyclone Ditwah continued to move through the region. With the soil oversaturated and drainage systems overwhelmed, even light rainfall could trigger additional landslides.
In the central hills, where steep slopes and narrow valleys create ideal conditions for landslides, residents remained on high alert. Disaster teams noted that small landslides had been reported overnight, though large-scale incidents had not yet occurred. Authorities urged people in high-risk zones to relocate temporarily until the terrain stabilizes.
The Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll, officials said, could rise significantly if landslides occur in remote hillside communities where rescue access is limited.
India was among the first nations to respond to Sri Lanka’s call for assistance. Officials confirmed that New Delhi sent a planeload of emergency supplies early on Saturday, including food, medicine, water purification equipment, and temporary shelter materials. Additional assistance could be delivered depending on how the situation develops.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the rising Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll, posting on X that India “stands ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves.” His statement underscored the longstanding partnership between the two neighboring countries, particularly in times of natural disaster.
Sri Lankan government officials said the supplies would be routed directly to the most affected districts, where thousands of displaced families are now living in crowded welfare centres. Health workers have raised concerns about sanitation risks and the potential for infectious diseases to spread in shelters if support does not scale quickly.
The Sri Lankan government has mobilized all branches of the armed forces to help manage the crisis. Military helicopters have been operating continuously, airlifting victims from isolated areas, delivering emergency rations, and conducting aerial assessments of flood zones. Boats have also been deployed extensively, especially in regions where roads have collapsed or been submerged.
Some of the most challenging operations are taking place along riverbanks and in hilly districts where landslide threats remain high. Soldiers and disaster workers have been clearing fallen trees, setting up temporary protective barriers, and relocating residents from unstable structures.
The large-scale deployment reflects concerns that the Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll could exceed current figures if rescue operations fail to reach residents in time. Officials have warned repeatedly that the upcoming days will be critical for locating those still missing.
Worst flooding in years
DMC officials noted that flood levels in several regions could surpass those recorded in 2016, when 71 people were killed in widespread flooding. This week’s weather-related death toll is already the highest since June last year, when 26 people were killed. In December, another 17 people died during severe rains and landslides.
Historical comparisons underscore the scale of the present disaster. The worst flooding Sri Lanka has experienced since 2000 occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed. While the Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll has not yet reached those levels, officials are preparing for the possibility that figures could increase as evaluations expand to cut-off districts.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Sri Lanka now faces a long and difficult recovery process. Many areas remain without electricity, drinking water, or functioning transportation routes. Crop damage is expected to worsen economic pressures, particularly in rural districts where agriculture is a primary livelihood.
Residents interviewed from temporary shelters described losing homes, valuables, and livelihoods in a matter of hours. Some said they feared returning home because of potential building collapses or contaminated water sources. Others spoke of the emotional toll of searching for missing relatives, unsure whether they would be found alive.
Authorities are preparing long-term plans to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen drainage systems, and reconsider zoning in flood-prone areas. Climate experts warn that storms like Cyclone Ditwah could become more frequent and more destructive due to changing weather patterns across the Indian Ocean.
As Sri Lanka continues to confront the consequences of Cyclone Ditwah, the rising Sri Lanka cyclone Ditwah death toll remains a painful indicator of the disaster’s scale. While rains have begun to subside and the storm system moves toward India, the full picture of destruction is far from clear. Rescue teams must still reach dozens of cut-off communities, search for missing individuals, and provide relief for nearly 44,000 people displaced from their homes.
For now, authorities urge caution, patience, and resilience as the country braces for what may be one of the most challenging disaster responses in recent years.
