Sri Lanka Floods, Landslides Kill 56, Dozens Missing as Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies

At least 56 people have died and 21 others remain missing after days of relentless rainfall triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka.

The country has been battling severe weather for more than a week, but conditions worsened on Thursday when torrential rains inundated homes, farmlands and major highways, while landslides were reported in multiple regions.

A significant number of the casualties occurred in the central tea-growing districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, located about 300 kilometres east of the capital, Colombo. More than 25 people were killed in landslides in the two highland districts on Thursday alone, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

Another 14 people were injured, while search teams are still working to locate 21 missing residents, officials said.

Cyclone Ditwah brushed Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline early Friday, intensifying rains and causing several rivers and reservoirs to overflow. In response, the government ordered the closure of all schools and public offices.

Transportation was also heavily disrupted. Authorities suspended passenger train services and shut down several major roads after falling rocks, trees and mud blocked key routes or left them submerged.

Dramatic footage aired by local media showed an air force helicopter rescuing three people stranded on a rooftop, while navy and police personnel deployed boats to evacuate residents trapped in flooded communities.

In the eastern town of Ampara, surveillance video captured the moment a vehicle was swept away by fast-moving floodwaters, killing three passengers inside.

Emergency workers continue rescue and relief operations as heavy rain persists in several parts of the country.