Sri Lanka floods: 200 dead and widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Detwah
Sri Lanka has witnessed a devastating humanitarian and environmental disaster in recent days, with floods inundating vast areas of the capital, Colombo, and its suburbs, leaving behind widespread destruction and heavy loss of life. These tragic developments follow the powerful Cyclone Detwah, which struck the island, bringing unprecedented torrential rains and devastating landslides.
Casualty figures and the situation on the ground
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre announced shocking figures reflecting the scale of the tragedy, with the death toll rising to nearly 200, including 193 confirmed fatalities, while 228 people remain missing. Rescue teams are continuing their arduous efforts to clear debris and uprooted trees, particularly in the central regions, which are the hardest hit, where the extent of the devastation is becoming increasingly apparent as the floodwaters partially recede.
In the capital, Colombo, the northern parts of the city experienced severe flooding due to the rapid and alarming rise in the water level of the Kelani River. An official at the Disaster Management Centre stated that "although the cyclone has weakened and is moving towards India, the continued flow of rainwater from the headwaters has inundated low-lying areas along the riverbanks," exacerbating the suffering of the residents.
Human stories from the heart of the disaster
Amid these dire circumstances, heartbreaking stories of human suffering emerged from those affected. Selvi, a 46-year-old woman from the Wenawati suburb, was forced to flee her completely flooded home, carrying what belongings she could. "I don't know where to go, but I hope to find safe shelter for my family," she told AFP in a moving interview. In the town of Manampitiya, residents, including 72-year-old S. Sivanandan, described the floods as the worst they had ever seen, saying they had never witnessed such a massive volume of water that overturned cars and destroyed shops.
Geographical context and climate challenges
Sri Lanka, due to its geographical location in the Indian Ocean, is prone to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season. However, meteorologists and environmental experts indicate that global climate change has contributed to an increase in the intensity and frequency of these cyclones and floods. The island's topography, characterized by central highlands and coastal plains, makes low-lying areas a natural trap for runoff water from the mountains, which explains the scale of the landslides and the widespread destruction of infrastructure.
Health and economic repercussions
In addition to the human and material losses, a health crisis looms, with the National Blood Transfusion Service warning of a critical shortage of supplies. The head of the blood bank, Lakshman Idrisinghe, explained that the severe weather had hampered donation drives, leading to dangerously low stocks, and appealed to citizens to go to the nearest donation centers. The National Building Research Organisation also warned of the risk of continued landslides due to the saturation of mountain slopes with water.
In an official response to the disaster, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone, appealing to the international community to provide urgent assistance to relieve the victims and rehabilitate the affected areas.
