Sri Lanka faces a national crisis. Severe floods and landslides have wreaked havoc across the island nation.
At least 56 people are dead. Another 21 remain missing. Torrential monsoon rains and the arrival of Cyclone Ditwah triggered the disaster.
This event marks one of the worst weather disasters in recent years. It has paralyzed transport networks. Consequently, authorities have forced mass evacuations.
Tragedy in the Hills
The central district of Badulla suffered the worst devastation. A massive landslide crashed into a residential area overnight.
Sadly, mud and debris buried homes. Recovery crews have retrieved 21 bodies from the site so far.
The situation worsened rapidly on Friday. Cyclone Ditwah brushed the country’s eastern coast. It intensified from a deep depression, dumping over 200mm of rain on saturated ground.
Red Alerts Issued
Authorities have issued a “Red Level” flood warning. This applies to the Kelani River valley. Officials urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately.
Furthermore, the rising waters threaten the capital, Colombo. The danger will persist for the next 48 hours.
Videos show torrents of water cascading through towns. The floods are washing away houses and submerging vehicles.
Dramatic Rescues
Emergency services are stretched thin. However, they are conducting daring rescue operations.
- The Stranded Bus: A bus became trapped near the Kala Wewa reservoir. Police halted the vehicle due to dangerous conditions. Subsequently, military forces deployed a helicopter to rescue the passengers.
- Tree-Top Rescue: In Anuradhapura, air force units saved a man. He survived the night by clinging to a coconut tree to escape overflowing waters.
National Shutdown
Extreme weather has brought the country to a standstill.
- Transport: The Railway Department cancelled almost all train services. Key roads remain impassable.
- Education: The government postponed crucial Advanced Level (A-level) exams.
- Mobilization: Approximately 20,500 army troops have deployed. They are assisting nearly 44,000 affected people.
A Regional Crisis
Sri Lanka is not alone in this struggle. The broader region faces catastrophic weather.
Southeast Asia is enduring its worst flooding in years. Significant casualties have been reported in Indonesia and Thailand. Heavy rains continue to sweep across the continent.
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