UPDATE: As of October 14, 2023, the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has tragically surpassed 120, with urgent rescue demands overwhelming Sri Lanka’s emergency services. Floodwaters continue to rise across the island nation, leaving large areas submerged and citizens in desperate need of help.
Reports indicate that numerous passengers were stranded on the roof of a house in central Sri Lanka, approximately 100 miles north of the capital, Colombo, after floodwaters inundated the bus they were traveling in. In the eastern region, nearly 100 students remain trapped in hostels, facing a dire lack of food and water as the floods close in around them. Furthermore, ten families, including vulnerable children and elderly members, are stuck on the second floor of a residential building, unable to escape the rising water.
The cyclone’s severity is unprecedented, with flooding affecting half of the country’s 25 districts. Rescue efforts are severely hampered by significant disruptions in transport and telecommunications. The country, home to 23 million people, is grappling with one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history, compounding challenges as it seeks to recover from the scars of a decades-long civil war and a recent economic crisis.
According to the Disaster Management Center, as of early Saturday, 130 individuals are reported missing in addition to the confirmed 123 deaths. Local officials express grave concerns that the final death toll could be much higher. In the central district of Badulla, nearly 50 fatalities have been reported, with 41 more individuals still unaccounted for, according to the district’s administrative chief.
The situation is developing rapidly, with emergency services calling for immediate assistance to reach those stranded. Authorities urge anyone in affected areas to move to higher ground and remain vigilant. As rescue operations continue, the plight of Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditwah highlights the urgent need for international aid and support.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding disaster.