Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka: 159 dead and widespread flooding
Sri Lanka has witnessed a tragic escalation in the aftermath of the natural disaster that struck the country, with the death toll from floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Detwah rising significantly. Official authorities confirmed that the number of fatalities has reached 159, while 203 people remain missing, amid fears that these figures will rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the affected areas.
Developments on the ground in Colombo
Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre reported that the situation in the northern part of the commercial capital, Colombo, is worsening, with the region facing unprecedented flooding. Field reports indicate that the water level in the Kelani River continues to rise, threatening to inundate more residential areas along the river and complicating the efforts of relief teams trying to reach those stranded.
Material losses and mass displacement
The devastating effects of the cyclone were not limited to loss of life; it also caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and property. Official statistics indicate that more than 20,000 homes were completely or partially destroyed, forcing authorities to evacuate approximately 122,000 people to temporary state-run shelters for their safety. In addition, it is estimated that nearly 833,000 other people were affected by the floods and are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance after being displaced from their homes.
Declaration of a state of emergency and government action
In a swift response to the scale of the disaster, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency, mobilizing all state resources to address the cyclone's aftermath. The president also issued an urgent appeal to the international community and relief organizations for assistance, given the extent of the devastation, which exceeds current local capacity.
Geographical and climatic context
Sri Lanka, by virtue of its geographical location in the Indian Ocean, is vulnerable to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season. However, the intensity of Cyclone Detwah and the volume of rainfall it brought underscore the growing challenges that climate change poses to island nations. Such disasters typically paralyze public life, disrupt electricity and transportation networks, and pose potential health risks due to water contamination and the spread of waterborne diseases, necessitating urgent preventative health interventions alongside relief efforts.
Rescue teams are racing against time to reach the missing, while government agencies are assessing the damage to rehabilitate the affected areas, amid anticipation of the weather conditions in the coming days.
