Sri Lanka reels as floods and landslides from Cyclone Ditwah kill over 330

The death toll from catastrophic floods and mudslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has killed over 330, as the island nation confronts one of its worst natural disasters in years. 

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), at least 334 bodies have been recovered, while hundreds remain missing, with many areas still inaccessible due to landslides and severe flooding. 

Tens of thousands of homes have reportedly been destroyed, leaving a substantial number of people homeless, and more than 100,000 evacuees are now housed in state-run temporary shelters. 

Officials said approximately one-third of the country remains without electricity or running water, as infrastructure has been destroyed or submerged. 

In many affected regions, whole neighborhoods lie buried under mud and debris, and vital roads and bridges have been washed away, hampering rescue efforts and delaying delivery of relief supplies. 

The worst-hit areas include the central hill country, particularly districts like Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Matale, where landslides caused devastation and significant loss of life. 

In one tragic incident, an elderly-care home in the north-central district of Kurunegala was flooded, leading to multiple fatalities. 

In response to the disaster, the government declared a state of emergency and deployed thousands of police, military and air-force personnel in rescue, relief and evacuation operations. 

Helicopters were used to airlift stranded families to safety when roads got blocked, and aid efforts are underway with international appeals for assistance in anticipation of a prolonged recovery and reconstruction period. 

Authorities warned that the full extent of the destruction may only become clear as floodwaters recede and search teams reach previously inaccessible areas, meaning the death toll and displacement figures could rise further.