Catastrophic Cyclone Wreaks Havoc Across Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka confronted one of its most severe natural disasters on Friday as cyclonic storm Ditwah unleashed torrential rains, triggering massive flooding and landslides that have claimed more than 80 lives. The devastating weather system has left a trail of destruction across the island nation, with infrastructure suffering extensive damage and thousands displaced from their homes.
India's Swift Humanitarian Response
In a demonstration of regional solidarity, India launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to assist its neighboring country during this crisis. The Indian Navy deployed its aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri to transport the first consignment of relief materials to Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commission confirmed the delivery included 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh rations, comprising essential food items, dairy products, beverages, and nutritional supplies.
Unprecedented Disaster Situation Unfolds
Sri Lankan authorities have warned of an "unprecedented disaster situation" particularly in the Western Province, where rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers pose severe threats to Colombo and Gampaha districts. Director General Ajith Gunasekara cautioned that "the Kelani River's water levels are expected to exceed those recorded during the 2016 floods," prompting urgent evacuation orders for vulnerable areas.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the human toll continues to mount with over 80 confirmed fatalities and 34 individuals still missing over the past three days. The scale of displacement is staggering - 148,603 people from 44,192 families have been affected by widespread flooding, while approximately 14,000 people have sought refuge in 195 emergency shelters.
The central Matale district recorded the most extreme rainfall, receiving 540 mm within 24 hours ending Thursday morning. This intense precipitation triggered catastrophic infrastructure damage, washing away three critical bridges:
- Moragahakanda Main Bridge
- Elahera Bridge
- Kumara Ella Bridge
These collapses have severed vital transport routes, isolating communities across Matale, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, and Uva provinces, severely hampering relief efforts and trade activities.
Critical Infrastructure and Services Disrupted
The cyclone's impact has extended to essential services, with severe weather causing widespread power outages affecting 25-30% of the region. Shirley Kumara, general manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, confirmed that two major hydropower plants - Kotmale and Rantambe - were shut down following power cable failures.
President Dissanayake invoked powers under the Essential Public Services Act, declaring electricity supply, petroleum distribution, hospitals, water supply, and public transport as essential services. Railway authorities cancelled all long-distance express, intercity, and night mail trains across every line, with only limited services resuming within the Western Province by Friday evening.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) described the situation as "extraordinary and unprecedented," warning that landslides could occur "at any moment in any mountainous region" due to the extreme weather conditions. The director of NBRO's Landslide Research Division noted that several mountainous areas had received more than 500 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours, with total rainfall approaching 1,000 mm over 10 days - conditions unlike anything previously experienced.
As of 5:30 pm Friday, cyclonic storm Ditwah was centered approximately 40 kilometers west-northwest of Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka, moving north-northwest while continuing to dump massive rainfall across the region. The Sri Lankan government has designated special officers to handle inquiries regarding foreign tourists affected by the disaster, while several important examinations have been postponed due to the precarious flood situation.
