Cyclone Ditwah devastation: Sri Lanka issues flood alerts as death count rises to 159

Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which triggered catastrophic floods and landslides killing 159 people and leaving 203 missing, prompting fresh flood warnings for Colombo’s eastern suburbs on Sunday morning (November 30).​

Kelani River surge prompts evacuations amid public reluctance

Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige issued alerts due to the Kelani River swelling to dangerous levels from upper central hill runoff, converting schools in vulnerable areas into relief centers for displaced residents. Despite urgent evacuation orders, officials report significant hesitation among locals to leave homes, complicating rescue efforts in the capital’s outskirts. The cyclone’s heavy rains continue feeding the river, exacerbating risks in low-lying eastern suburbs.