Severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has forced at least 43,000 people to evacuate their homes across Sri Lanka, with authorities relocating them to state-run welfare centers, according to Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda.

Although the weather system has now moved away from the island toward neighboring India, it has already caused widespread destruction. The cyclone's impact was felt from Monday, while it officially made landfall on Wednesday, unleashing record rainfall across the country.

"Relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway," Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo. Military personnel, helicopters, and boats have been deployed to assist with evacuations and emergency operations throughout the affected regions.

Major Flood Warning – Kelani River 🔴
Heavy rainfall & rising water levels may trigger flooding in low-lying areas within the next 48 hours.pic.twitter.com/qDoCvop7Pd
Areas at risk: Eheliyagoda, Yatiyantota, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Seethawaka, Dompe, Padukka, Homagama, Kaduwela,…

— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) November 28, 2025

The Sri Lankan government has mobilized its armed forces to support the rescue and relief mission, with DMC officials warning that the scale of this year’s floods could surpass the 2016 disaster, during which 71 people were killed.

With more than 12 inches of rain recorded in the eastern and central regions, footage released by the Sri Lanka Air Force showed stranded residents being rescued from rooftops while floodwaters engulfed homes https://t.co/KZnmQvAzFX pic.twitter.com/sCbHkSOMBG

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 29, 2025

Floodwaters intensified in low-lying areas on Saturday, leading to evacuation orders for residents living along the banks of the Kelani River, which flows from Colombo into the Indian Ocean. The river burst its banks on Friday evening, forcing hundreds to seek refuge in temporary shelters. Although rainfall has eased in most areas, including the capital, parts of the island's northern region continue to experience showers due to the lingering effects of Cyclone Ditwah.

India sends aid as Sri Lanka faces worst flooding in years

India delivered a planeload of relief supplies on Saturday to support ongoing humanitarian efforts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the loss of life and pledged continued support. "We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves," Modi stated on X.

My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families.

In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2025

DMC officials noted that this week's flooding marks the deadliest weather-related event since June last year, when 26 people died due to torrential rains. In December, 17 lives were lost in floods and landslides.

Sri Lanka’s deadliest flooding incident in recent memory occurred in June 2003, when 254 people were killed, making this latest crisis one of the most significant in over two decades.