Sri Lanka declares emergency as floods wreak havoc across Colombo

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) reports that 193 people have died and 228 are still missing in parts of the capital Colombo as a result of Cyclone Ditwah’s aftermath.

The island’s extensive flooding and mudslides were brought on by the cyclone’s weeklong, heavy rains, with relief workers only now revealing the extent of the island’s total destruction as they clear blocked roads.

Heavy rains upstream are now drenching low-lying areas along the Kelani River, according to a DMC official, as the capital’s northern regions are now facing rising floodwaters.

Selvi, 46, escaped her flooded home in Wennawatte, a suburb of Colombo, with what items she could salvage. My home has been completely submerged. She told the AFP news agency, “I don’t know where to go, but I hope there is a safe place where my family can stay.”

The extent of the destruction was apparent as the floodwaters receded in Manampitiya, which was 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of Colombo.

S Sivanandan, a 72-year-old resident, described extensive damage to businesses and property, noting that Manampitiya is a flood-prone town.

Due to the disaster, blood supplies are insufficient for the situation. The blood bank’s chief, Lakshman Edirisinghe, reported receiving only 236 units on Saturday compared to the 1,500 needed each day. We were unable to carry out our mobile blood collection campaigns because of floods and heavy rains, he said, urging donors to visit blood banks.

Officials warn of the possibility of landslides because mountain slopes are still saturated with rainwater.

On Saturday, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, president, declared a state of emergency and called for international assistance. Pakistan and Japan have also offered their support, while India immediately provided relief goods and rescue helicopters.

More than 25 000 homes have been destroyed as a result of the cyclone, which has displaced 147, 000 people and oblivious 968, 000 people. In the massive relief effort, military personnel are assisting civilian responders.