Death Toll Rises to 132 in Sri Lanka as India, US, Maldives Rush Humanitarian Aid
President Dissanayake declares state of emergency as Cyclone Ditwah leaves trail of destruction; nearly half a million people affected across island nation
Colombo: The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has climbed to 132, with 176 people still missing, as international aid continues to pour into the devastated island nation following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s declaration of a state of emergency.
India’s swift relief efforts prompted the United States and Maldives to follow suit with assistance for Sri Lanka after widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah over the past four days.
Indian Passengers Stranded
The High Commission of India in Colombo has issued an urgent advisory asking all Indian passengers stranded in Sri Lanka to register their details through an online form. The mission stated that Indian passengers can also register themselves at the Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
The Indian High Commission is making all efforts to provide assistance to the stranded Indian passengers and is facilitating their travel back to India as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu. Details are being collected by the High Commission to arrange evacuation flights for those unable to return due to the cyclone’s impact on transportation infrastructure.
Massive International Relief Operation
India spearheaded aid delivery with 27 tonnes of relief supplies transported via air and sea. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that Indian Air Force aircraft delivered essential rations, critical relief items, NDRF teams, and equipment required for search, rescue, and humanitarian operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The relief effort included two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel, with a C-130 aircraft carrying food supplies and sanitary essentials landing at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport around 1:30 am.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths and pledged that New Delhi stands ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves.
US and Maldives Join Relief Efforts
The United States announced an immediate allocation of $2 million to support emergency relief efforts, with Ambassador Julie Chung stating that communities across the island are facing difficult days with heavy rains and widespread flooding.
The Government of Maldives decided to extend relief assistance through financial support of USD 50,000 and a donation of 25,000 cases of tuna cans on behalf of the Maldivian people. The Foreign Ministry described the gesture as a demonstration of solidarity with their close neighbor, reflecting the deep commitment to the bonds shared between the two nations.
Widespread Devastation
The latest update from the Disaster Management Centre showed the death toll at 132 with 176 missing as Cyclone Ditwah exited Sri Lanka on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure.
More than 200,000 people from 61,000 families have been affected countrywide. Over 25 people were killed in landslides in the central mountainous tea-growing regions of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, about 300 kilometers east of Colombo.
DMC officials said they expected flood levels to be worse than in 2016, when 71 people were killed nationwide. This week’s weather-related toll marks the highest since June last year, when 26 people died following heavy rains.
Infrastructure Damage and Communication Breakdown
Fresh landslides struck Kandy district, blocking major access roads and cutting off vulnerable communities. Several fiber optic cables snapped, leaving remote regions without mobile connectivity after base stations were submerged. A special unit has been deployed to restore communication networks, though many areas remain unreachable due to mudslides in the island’s central hills.
The heavy downpour destroyed four houses and damaged more than 600, while causing trees and mud to block multiple roads and railway lines. Flight disruptions occurred, with 15 international services diverted from Colombo to Mattala airport in the southern province.
Government Response
President Dissanayake’s state of emergency declaration allows the government to promulgate regulations to address the crisis. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met with Colombo-based diplomats to brief them on the situation and seek assistance from their governments.
The government has requested international aid and urged Sri Lankans living abroad to donate funds to support the nearly half a million people affected by the disaster.
While rain had eased in most parts of Sri Lanka on Saturday, including the capital, parts of the island’s north were still experiencing showers due to residual effects of Cyclone Ditwah.
As rescue and relief operations intensify, authorities continue searching for missing persons while international support demonstrates regional solidarity in times of crisis. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as communications are gradually restored to affected areas.
