Sri Lanka is reeling from the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on the country’s eastern coast on Friday morning.
The government deployed military personnel and police to assist in search and rescue operations, as surging floodwaters and landslides have left communities stranded.
By Friday evening, officials reported that at least 69 people had died, with the toll expected to rise as the cyclone continues to bring heavy rains over the next 12 hours.
Some 44,000 people nationwide have been affected, many of whom have taken refuge in schools and public shelters.
The eastern and central regions bore the brunt of the disaster, receiving more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) of rainfall, which triggered deadly landslides.
At least 3,000 homes have been damaged by flooding and mudslides, while rivers and reservoirs have overflowed across the island.
Residents in Colombo and surrounding areas were seen wading through floodwaters, carrying their belongings to higher ground, reporta dw.com
The extreme weather has sparked concerns about the growing impact of human-induced climate change, which scientists say is worsening the frequency and intensity of such events.
SriLankan Airlines reported widespread flight delays as the storm disrupted air travel across the country.
Neighboring India has launched relief efforts, delivering 6.5 metric tons of food to Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured that India stands ready to provide further assistance as needed.
Officials warned that the current flooding could be the worst Sri Lanka has experienced since 2016, when torrential rains killed over 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The cyclone is now heading toward southern India, where authorities have issued red alerts for coastal areas expecting heavy rainfall.
