Devastating floods have struck the capital city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll has risen to 193, with 228 individuals reported missing. The cyclone’s heavy rainfall, lasting a week, has resulted in widespread flooding and mudslides throughout the country, particularly in the central region, where the extent of the damage is only now becoming clear as relief workers undertake efforts to clear blocked roads. A DMC official noted that persistent heavy rains upstream are exacerbating the situation in low-lying areas along the Kelani River. In the suburb of Wennawatte, a resident, Selvi, described her struggle as she fled her flooded home with minimal possessions, expressing uncertainty about where to take her family for safety. Meanwhile, in Manampitiya, located 250 kilometers northeast of Colombo, residents are witnessing unprecedented water levels and extensive property damage. Medical officials are raising alarms over critically low blood supplies, with blood donation campaigns halted due to the adverse weather. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency and is seeking international aid, with India already providing relief supplies and rescue teams, joined by pledges of assistance from Pakistan and Japan. The cyclone has resulted in the destruction of over 25,000 homes and displaced nearly 1 million people, marking Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disaster since 2017.
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