"Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday after 153 people were confirmed dead in floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. At least 200 others are still missing, as rescue teams continue to struggle to reach isolated communities. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), more than 20,000 homes have been destroyed, forcing over 78,000 people into nearly 800 relief centers across the country."
"Communities cut off, death toll expected to rise Landslides have blocked roads in the central Badulla district, leaving entire villages unreachable. Among the casualties were 11 elderly residents of a care home in Kurunegala, where floodwaters swept through the building on Saturday. Social media posts also showed areas hit by overnight mudslides that authorities have yet to reach, prompting fears that the death toll could climb further."
"Image: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP Large-scale rescue operations under way Thousands of troops have been mobilized alongside police, civilian responders and volunteers. In one major operation, 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, were rescued after being stranded for 24 hours in the Anuradhapura district. India has sent two search-and-rescue teams, comprising 80 personnel, and dispatched aid supplies, its embassy in Colombo said. In Colombo, floodwaters from upstream districts began affecting areas around the city on Friday, including Malwana, where residents experienced the worst flooding in ten years."
Heavy rains and Cyclone Ditwah caused floods and landslides across Sri Lanka, resulting in 153 confirmed deaths and at least 200 people missing. More than 20,000 homes were destroyed, forcing over 78,000 people into nearly 800 relief centers. Landslides blocked roads in Badulla district and left entire villages unreachable, while floodwaters swept through a care home in Kurunegala killing 11 elderly residents. Large-scale rescue operations mobilized thousands of troops, police and civilian responders, and India sent search-and-rescue teams with aid. Power outages persist in parts of Colombo and many residents remain sheltering on upper floors of flooded houses. Emergency powers were invoked to accelerate relief and recovery efforts.
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