Sri Lanka: 481 Dead, 1.8 Million Affected by Cyclone Ditwah

COLOMBO (News 1st); The human toll of Cyclone Ditwah continues to mount in Sri Lanka, with 481 confirmed deaths and 345 people still missing, according to the latest situation report issued by the Disaster Management Center.

The cyclone has left a trail of devastation across 25 districts, affecting 509,680 families and 1,814,534 individuals.

The hardest-hit districts include Kandy, reporting the highest fatalities at 118 deaths and 171 missing, followed by Badulla (83 deaths), Nuwara Eliya (89 deaths), and Kurunegala (56 deaths). Other districts such as Kegalle (30 deaths) and Puttalam (29 deaths) have also suffered significant losses.

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the cyclone has caused 1,967 homes to be completely destroyed and 50,173 partially damaged, leaving thousands displaced. Relief efforts are underway, with 1,236 safety centers currently sheltering 48,559 families (171,492 persons).

Infrastructure damage is extensive, with roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and transport networks crippled.

Emergency teams are working to restore essential services and prevent secondary crises such as disease outbreaks.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as recovery operations intensify. The government, in coordination with international partners, is mobilizing resources for immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation.