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Sri Lanka faces severe destruction after Cyclone Ditwah
Sri Lanka is grappling with widespread devastation following the passage of Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed at least 159 lives and left 203 people missing, according to the island’s Disaster Management Centre.
The cyclone has displaced approximately 833,000 people, with an additional 122,000 individuals accommodated in temporary shelters. Authorities report that over 20,000 homes have been destroyed, and roughly a third of the population remains without electricity or clean water.
Although Ditwah has moved on toward India, heavy rains continue to flood low-lying areas in Colombo and along the banks of the Kelani River.
In response to the crisis, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency, granting expanded powers to coordinate relief efforts. The Sri Lankan army has been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery operations.
The government has also appealed for international assistance to support relief and rebuilding efforts. Officials warn that this is the most severe natural disaster the country has faced since 2017, when floods and landslides claimed over 200 lives.