CYCLONE CHAOS, ISLAND COURAGE

When Cyclone Ditwah Roared, Sri Lanka Responded with Heart

- BY TINA EDWARD GUNAWARDHANA

Cyclone Ditwah which struck Sri Lanka, bringing torrential rains and strong winds that triggered widespread flooding and deadly landslides across the island has wreaked havoc. Rainfall in some regions exceeded 300 mm in a very short span of time — enough to overwhelm hillsides, rivers and drainage systems.

The impact has been severe. According to the country's disaster management authorities, the death toll has risen sharply, with more than 400 lives lost and many more unaccounted for across various provinces. Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged; more than 15,000 houses reportedly collapsed, and tens of thousands of people were forced out of their homes and into temporary shelters.

Infrastructure across the country was badly affected. Roads and railways were blocked by mud, fallen trees or floodwaters; public transport including trains was suspended in many areas. Floodwaters even threatened urban areas - parts of the capital and low-lying suburbs were inundated, prompting emergency evacuations along riverbanks.

Recognising the severity of the disaster, the government declared a state of emergency. Military, navy and air force units have been mobilised to support rescue operations, evacuations and relief distribution where floodwaters or landslides cut off access.

For the many families caught in the deluge, the consequences have been heartbreaking. Entire homes were lost overnight. Parents and children many of them in rural or semi-urban areas found themselves wading through waist-deep floodwaters, carrying what little they could salvage: some clothes, a few personal items, maybe a family pet. Reports describe people stranded on rooftops, in trees or other high ground, awaiting rescue by soldiers or volunteers.