Sri Lanka Floods and Mudslides Leave Hundreds Dead

Deadly Floods and Mudslides Strike Sri Lanka

Authorities in Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency after floods and mudslides killed more than 330 people across the country. The Disaster Management Centre reported that over 200 people remain missing and about 20,000 homes have been destroyed following the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah.

The government said the disaster has displaced 108,000 residents who are now sheltering in state-run temporary facilities. Officials confirmed that about one-third of the country is without electricity or running water as rescue operations continue in affected regions.

Rising Water Levels and Cut-Off Communities

Evacuation orders remain in place in several areas as the Kelani River continues to rise rapidly. The highest number of deaths occurred in Kandy and Badulla, where many communities remain inaccessible due to blocked roads and landslides.

Local residents reported extensive destruction. A woman in central Sri Lanka said about 15 houses in her area were buried under boulders and mud with no survivors. In the Badulla village of Maspanna, a resident stated that two people were killed and remaining villagers are sheltering in a temple and one surviving home.

Rescue Efforts and Additional Casualties

Police confirmed that 11 residents of an elderly care home in Kurunegala died when the facility flooded on Saturday afternoon. Rescue teams worked through a 24-hour operation, during which the navy evacuated stranded passengers from rising waters.

One survivor described climbing onto a nearby roof with navy assistance. He stated that part of the roof collapsed during the rescue, causing three women to fall into the water before being pulled back to safety.

Government Response and Appeal for Aid

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called the event the most challenging natural disaster in the nation’s history. The government issued an appeal for international aid and urged Sri Lankans living abroad to provide financial support for affected communities.

Cyclone Ditwah brushed Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on Friday before moving away. The country is currently in its monsoon season, though officials noted that weather conditions of this severity are rare.