COLOMBO, Nov 29: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a nationwide State of Emergency as catastrophic floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah continue to claim lives and devastate large parts of the island nation. The decision, issued through an official gazette on Friday and made public on Saturday, comes amid mounting calls from opposition parties and medical bodies for urgent nationwide measures.
The emergency regulations are expected to fast-track relief coordination, rescue operations, and the mobilisation of troops, police, health services, civil administration, and the Civil Defence Force, officials said. Severe weather conditions, damaged infrastructure, and communication breakdowns have significantly hindered rescue efforts.
Cyclone Ditwah exited Sri Lanka on Saturday and is now moving toward the southern coast of India, but authorities warn that heavy rains and high-speed winds will continue to affect the island. “Its indirect impact will remain for some time,” said Athula Karunanayake, Director General of the Meteorology Department.
As of Saturday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed 123 deaths, while 130 people remain missing. Officials fear the toll could rise sharply as several severely affected regions are still unreachable due to washed-out roads and communication failures.
The island has been battling widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse as the cyclone’s impact swept across multiple districts, leaving thousands displaced and entire communities cut off. Rescue agencies are now racing against time to access remote areas where verification of casualties and damage has been delayed.
