Ditwah death toll rises

Saturday, 29 November 2025 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

69 dead, 34 missing as inclement weather impacts over 219,200 people
DMC issues severe flood warning for eight rivers, key bridge washes away

The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah rose to 69 yesterday as rising floodwaters and continued heavy rainfall forced evacuations across several districts, with authorities warning residents in river valleys and low-lying coastal areas to move to safer ground.

About 34 remain missing while the ongoing adverse weather have impacted 219,286 people from over 63,000 families across the country.

Early morning yesterday the Disaster Management Centre issued a ‘Major Flood Warning’ for Mahaweli River, Deduru Oya, Maha Oya, Kala Oya, Menik Ganga, Mahawathu Oya. It said residents living in low-lying areas on both banks of these rivers are strongly advised to evacuate to safer locations.

Schools and Government offices remained closed, except for essential services, as the storm system continued to push severe weather across the island. The Indian Meteorological Department forecast further rain and warned of storm surges along northern coastal areas.

A surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying areas in the north of Sri Lanka through Saturday morning, according to the advisory.

Water levels in the Kelani River continued to rise, prompting officials to ask communities along its banks in the Colombo District to evacuate. Atthanagalu Oya in Gampaha also reached flood stage, while multiple reservoirs overflowed, the Irrigation Department said.

Cyclone Ditwah, upgraded overnight with sustained winds of around 80 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 100, is expected to move across Trincomalee on Friday before exiting towards India on Saturday.

Yesterday, the Moragahakanda–Laggala Bridge on the Moragahakanda–Hettipola Road was washed away after floodwaters intensified with the ongoing rains.

The structure was a key connector for communities in Matale, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala, enabling the movement of agricultural produce and access to the Moragahakanda Reservoir, the largest under the Mahaweli Development Project.