Cyclone Ditto has caused a severe humanitarian crisis across Sri Lanka, with heavy rains and flash floods causing widespread damage. The government has declared a state of emergency and called for international assistance after at least 132 people were killed and 176 missing nationwide.
According to the Disaster Management Center, more than 15,000 houses have been destroyed by the heavy rains and 78,000 people are staying in shelters. Roads have been damaged in many areas, cutting off communication, and food and clean water shortages have become acute.
The army, navy and air force have joined the rescue operation. 69 passengers were rescued from a bus in Anuradhapura using helicopters and boats . The disaster has cut off electricity and water supply in about a third of the area; water purification plants have been submerged and electric poles have collapsed.
New landslides have struck the central region, isolating many villages. In the words of locals, “There is no food, no safe water—we are stuck because of the road collapse.”
The cyclone is moving towards India, crossing Sri Lanka; dozens of flights have already been cancelled in Chennai. India has rushed relief supplies and promised more help.
This is considered the deadliest disaster in Sri Lanka since 2017.