Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency As Cyclone 'Ditwah' Kills 153 People

Last Updated:November 29, 2025, 20:09 IST

The Sri Lankan government has appealed for international assistance as Cyclone 'Ditwah' killed more than 130 people across the country.

People wade through a flooded road after heavy rainfall in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (AFP)

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance as Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ left a trail of destruction in the country, with the death toll rising to 153 and another 191 people missing.

According to the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the heavy rains accompanied by the cyclonic storm have destroyed more than 20,000 homes, sending 108,000 people to state-run temporary shelters. DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said relief operations had been strengthened with the deployment of thousands of members of the army, navy and air force.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him sweeping powers to deal with the devastation. Officials said about a third of the country was without electricity and running water as power lines had collapsed and water purification facilities were inundated.

DMC spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili confirmed 153 deaths to floods and landslides, including 11 residents of an elder care home that was flooded in the north-central district of Kurunegala on Saturday afternoon, AFP reported.

Authorities say that Ditwah, which developed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to move toward India’s southern coast by Sunday. Sri Lanka is forecast to see rain on Saturday, with the storm expected to pass over the northern parts of the country.

Why Was The Emergency Imposed?

News world Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency As Cyclone 'Ditwah' Kills 153 People

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