Sri Lanka flood death toll rises to 159, many more missing
Sri Lanka’s devastating floods and mudslides have claimed at least 159 lives, with officials warning that the toll could rise sharply as more than 200 people remain missing amid one of the country’s most severe weather disasters in decades.
The Disaster Management Centre said over 20,000 homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, forcing nearly 108,000 people into state-run shelters. Large areas of central and southern Sri Lanka remain cut off, complicating rescue operations as emergency teams struggle to reach remote communities.
A state of emergency has been declared after Cyclone Ditwah triggered torrential rains across the island late last week. Authorities reported that nearly one-third of the country is without electricity and running water, raising concerns about sanitation and the spread of waterborne diseases.
Rivers across several districts have overflowed, with evacuation orders issued in areas along the Kelani River as water levels continue to rise. Kandy and Badulla have recorded the highest number of deaths, though communication remains limited due to damaged infrastructure.
Among the victims were 11 elderly residents trapped inside a flooded care home in Kurunegala. In another dramatic rescue, emergency workers saved 69 passengers from a bus that became submerged in fast-rising waters in Anuradhapura.
The government has appealed urgently for international assistance, calling on global donors and Sri Lankans living abroad to contribute funds for relief and rebuilding efforts. Officials say the scale of the destruction could take months to fully assess.
Cyclone Ditwah brushed past Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on Friday before moving out to sea, but its impact has been intensified by the ongoing monsoon season. While Sri Lanka is no stranger to seasonal rains, officials say the current floods are among the most extreme seen in years, rivaling the deadly 2003 disaster that killed 254 people.
The crisis comes as Southeast Asia faces widespread flooding, with millions displaced or affected across Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, prompting regional warnings about the growing severity of climate-related events.
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