Colombo (FNO): Sri Lanka is reeling under one of its worst natural disasters in recent years as Cyclone Ditwah unleashed ferocious rains, floods and landslides across the island, leaving a trail of destruction and a rapidly rising human toll.

The cyclone, which brushed past Sri Lanka’s eastern coast before moving into the Bay of Bengal, triggered relentless downpours that inundated towns, swept away homes and cut off entire communities. Many districts recorded over 300 mm of rainfall within hours, overwhelming rivers and reservoirs and sending floodwaters surging through densely populated areas.

Disaster authorities reported a sharp spike in casualties, with more than 150 people confirmed dead and nearly 200 still missing. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, forcing over 78,000 people into almost 800 temporary shelters. Rescue teams from the military, police and emergency services have been navigating treacherous flood zones, pulling survivors from roofs, treetops and collapsed structures.

Transport networks remain crippled as major roads, bridges and railway lines lie submerged or blocked by landslides. Schools have been shut, examinations postponed and business activity disrupted, with even the national stock exchange pausing operations amid the chaos.

The worst-hit regions include the island’s central highlands, where mudslides swallowed homes in tea-growing villages, and the western coastal belt, where overflowing rivers flooded entire townships. The government has declared a national emergency as relief operations continue around the clock.

Authorities warn that the long-term impact could be severe, with agricultural losses mounting, infrastructure damaged and thousands of vulnerable families facing months of hardship. International assistance is likely to be sought as Sri Lanka confronts the scale of devastation left behind by Cyclone Ditwah.