Powerful winds and torrential rain from Cyclone Ditwah have unleashed Sri Lanka's most severe flooding in ten years, causing widespread landslides and leaving a trail of devastation. The cyclone made landfall on Friday, and by Monday, the death toll had climbed to 340, with another 370 people reported missing. Rescue operations are in full swing to clear blocked roads and deliver aid to over half a million affected individuals.
Eyewitness Accounts: Shock and Loss
Even in areas accustomed to seasonal flooding, residents were caught off guard by the ferocity of the storm. Delivery driver Dinusha Sanjaya, 37, admitted to ignoring initial warnings, expecting minimal water levels. "I never thought the floods would be this bad," he told AFP from a school shelter. Within an hour, his two-storey home was completely submerged.
The disaster has also erased livelihoods. Seamstress Nirushika, 44, saw her small sewing business washed away. "I earned a living by running a small sewing business. Both my sewing machines were lost," she lamented. The scale of the crisis has forced nearly 148,000 people into temporary shelters across the island, particularly in the central highlands known for tea plantations.
Political Fallout and International Response
The catastrophe sparked political turmoil in Colombo as the main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout from Parliament on Monday. They protested the government's refusal to extend the session to debate the disaster response. SJB's Kabir Hashim accused the government of inadequate preparedness despite severe weather warnings.
In a swift demonstration of regional solidarity, India launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to assist its neighbour. The Indian Air Force has been pivotal, airlifting National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, equipment, and over 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the ongoing efforts, highlighting the mission's scale and speed in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Impact on Tamil Nadu and Relief Efforts
The remnants of Cyclone Ditwah also battered the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Districts including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, and Ranipet experienced moderate to heavy downpours on Monday, leading to waterlogging and disruption. The state government reported three rain-related deaths on Sunday and has been actively managing the situation, providing food to thousands affected.
As Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on large-scale rescue and relief. With over 1 million people impacted and critical infrastructure damaged, the path to recovery will be long and challenging. The international community, led by India's immediate assistance, is now crucial in supporting the island nation through this crisis.
