• Over 56 people have been killed due to severe floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.
• Heavy rains exacerbated by Cyclone Ditwah have triggered natural disasters across the island.
• Government offices and schools have been closed as over 21 individuals remain missing.
• Emergency services are conducting rescues and evacuations throughout affected regions.
• A red-level flood warning has been issued, particularly affecting the capital, Colombo.

As of Friday, the death toll from floods and landslides in Sri Lanka has risen to over 56 fatalities, following severe weather conditions intensified by Cyclone Ditwah. The cyclone brought torrential downpours that led to extensive flooding and landslides, especially in the central tea-growing districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, about 300 kilometers east of Colombo, where more than 25 deaths were reported alone from landslides. Video footage shows houses being washed away as waters surged through communities, prompting urgent evacuations. Temporary shelters are now housing over 1,800 families, according to the government’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and Al Jazeera.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 300 mm has disrupted daily life across the island, blocking roads and suspending passenger train services due to fallen trees and obstructions on tracks. Local authorities have also closed schools and government offices, stressing the need for safety as conditions worsen. With river levels continuing to rise, officials have issued a red-level flood warning for vulnerable areas, including the Kelani River valley, signaling potential further flooding risks for low-lying regions including the capital, Colombo, as reported by the BBC and India Times.

The DMC has reported 21 individuals remain missing and at least 14 have been injured due to the disasters. Emergency services, including the military and navy, are engaged in rescue operations, utilizing helicopters and boats to assist those stranded by floodwaters. Families are being moved to safety as further rain is forecasted in the coming days, which is crucial as these events form part of the ongoing northeast monsoon season. The impact of Cyclone Ditwah has been profound, leading to a humanitarian crisis across affected areas, according to Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.