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RECAP: Hundreds Dead in Sri Lanka’s Worst Flooding in Decades

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency after Cyclone Ditwah triggered catastrophic flooding across the country. At least 410 people have been killed and 366 remain missing. Floodwaters in Colombo peaked overnight, and while levels have begun to recede, large parts of the capital and surrounding areas remain buried in mud, with the full extent of the damage still unclear. More than 148,000 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters, and the military has deployed helicopters and boats for rescue operations and aid delivery. The disaster is Sri Lanka’s worst since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

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Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding 6

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 350 people dead and hundreds more missing.

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Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding 4

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 330 people dead and hundreds more missing.

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Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding 3

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 330 people dead and hundreds more missing.

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Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding 2

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 330 people dead and hundreds more missing.

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Sri Lanka: Emergency Declared as Cyclone Ditwah Causes Catastrophic Flooding

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday, November 29, after Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic flooding, leaving over 330 people dead and hundreds more missing.

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

This photo taken on November 29, 2025 shows a flooded area in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cyclone Ditwah Aftermaths in Sri Lanka

Flood-affected people are transported to safe areas in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka, November 29, 2025. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Saturday evening said 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The DMC said 774,724 people from 217,263 families across all districts have been affected by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. It added that many areas remain inaccessible, complicating rescue efforts and relief distribution. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Flood in Gampaha - Sri Lanka

A woman holding a child in her arm wades through floodwater on a waterlogged road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on November 20, 2024. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Flood in Gampaha - Sri Lanka

Vehicles wade through floodwater on a waterlogged road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on November 20, 2024. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Flood in Gampaha - Sri Lanka

People and vehicles wade through floodwater on a waterlogged road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on November 20, 2024. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Parliamentary Election Day - Sri Lanka

People wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Gampaha, Sri Lanka on Nov. 14, 2024. Voting in the Sri Lankan parliamentary election began on Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. local time after the opening of polling stations across the South Asian country. Over 8,000 candidates are contesting the election, with over 17 million eligible voters participating. The Sri Lankan parliament consists of 225 seats, with 113 needed to form a majority government. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Parliamentary Election Day - Sri Lanka

An electoral official carries a ballot box to a counting center in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 14, 2024. Voting closed in the Sri Lankan parliamentary election on Thursday at 4 p.m. local time (1030 GMT) and the counting of ballots will start by 4:30 p.m., according to the Sri Lankan Election Commission. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Parliamentary Election Day - Sri Lanka

Electoral officials carry a ballot box to a counting center in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 14, 2024. Voting closed in the Sri Lankan parliamentary election on Thursday at 4 p.m. local time (1030 GMT) and the counting of ballots will start by 4:30 p.m., according to the Sri Lankan Election Commission. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sri Lankan People Hit By Adverse Weather

People wade through floodwater in a street in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Oct. 12, 2024. Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to provide immediate relief to people affected by recent adverse weather conditions across the country, the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Saturday. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sri Lankan People Hit By Adverse Weather

People wade through floodwater in a street in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Oct. 12, 2024. Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to provide immediate relief to people affected by recent adverse weather conditions across the country, the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Saturday. Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-MANGROVES-WETLANDS

(240726) -- GAMPAHA, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows a view of the Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on July 25, 2024. World Mangrove Day is celebrate on July 26. Muthurajawela Mangroves and Wetlands, located 19 kilometers north of Colombo, has been identified as one of the most important wetlands to contribute to flood control. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economic and ecological benefits to the nation. However, it remains an extremely vulnerable ecosystem and needs rapid and strong interventions for conservation and sustainable use. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS-RELIEF

(240529) -- COLOMBO, May 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles and pedestrians are pictured on a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on May 28, 2024. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to deliver immediate relief to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions as heavy rains and strong winds continued to lash out across the country, said the President's Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS-RELIEF

(240529) -- COLOMBO, May 29, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Vehicles and pedestrians are pictured on a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on May 28, 2024. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to deliver immediate relief to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions as heavy rains and strong winds continued to lash out across the country, said the President's Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS-RELIEF

(240529) -- COLOMBO, May 29, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A car plows through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on May 28, 2024. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to deliver immediate relief to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions as heavy rains and strong winds continued to lash out across the country, said the President's Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS-RELIEF

(240529) -- COLOMBO, May 29, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A car plows through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on May 28, 2024. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to deliver immediate relief to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions as heavy rains and strong winds continued to lash out across the country, said the President's Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-ENVIRONMENT-WORKSHOP

(240512) -- GAMPAHA, May 12, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People draw posters related with environmental protection in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, May 12, 2024. A workshop on environmental protection was organized by Sri Lanka's National Youth Services Council in Gampaha on Sunday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-COUNTRYWIDE POWER FAILURE

(231209) -- COLOMBO, Dec. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A boy studies at home with the help of an oil lamp during a countrywide power failure in Gampaha, Sri Lanka on Dec. 9, 2023. TO GO WITH "Sri Lanka experiences countrywide power failure" (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-COUNTRYWIDE POWER FAILURE

(231209) -- COLOMBO, Dec. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman makes tea at home with the help of a mobile phone's flashlight during a countrywide power failure in Gampaha, Sri Lanka on Dec. 9, 2023. TO GO WITH "Sri Lanka experiences countrywide power failure" (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-COLOMBO-WEATHER-RELATED DISASTERS-LIVINGS

(231124) -- COLOMBO, Nov. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man walks through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, Nov. 24, 2023. Over 5,000 people belonging to more than 1,400 families still remained affected by weather-related disasters in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said in a report on Friday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-COLOMBO-WEATHER-RELATED DISASTERS-LIVINGS

(231124) -- COLOMBO, Nov. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man rides a motorcycle through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, Nov. 24, 2023. Over 5,000 people belonging to more than 1,400 families still remained affected by weather-related disasters in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said in a report on Friday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-COLOMBO-WEATHER-RELATED DISASTERS-LIVINGS

(231124) -- COLOMBO, Nov. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People walk through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, Nov. 24, 2023. Over 5,000 people belonging to more than 1,400 families still remained affected by weather-related disasters in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said in a report on Friday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People wade through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People carrying their bicycles wade through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People wade through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People wade through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man is seen from a store in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man rides a motorcycle through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-HEAVY RAIN-FLOODS

(231108) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), Nov. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People wade through a flooded road in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 8, 2023. Most of the areas in Gampaha district are flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

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Sri Lanka mourns death of famous Indian tusker

STORY: Sri Lanka mourns death of famous Indian tusker DATELINE: March 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:52 LOCATION: COLOMBO CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people mourning the death of the ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja" in Gampaha, Sri Lanka 2. file footage of Nadungamuwa Raja STORYLINE: Sri Lankan citizens on Monday mourned the death of the famous Indian tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja," which died in the early hours of the day following a brief illness. The elephant was in its sixties at the time of its death. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to name the deceased tusker as a national treasure and preserve its body for future generations. Wildlife officials said the animal, towering 10.5 feet in height, was a celebrated pachyderm and the tallest tamed tusker in the country. The elephant also had its own armed guards and had for years participated in the Buddhist religious parade known as the Esala Perahera in Kandy. Elephants, as sacred animals in Sri Lanka, o

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-CEREMONIAL TUSKER-MOURNING

(220307) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), March 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People mourn the death of the ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja" in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on March 7, 2022. Sri Lankan citizens on Monday mourned the death of the famous ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja," which died in the early hours of the day following a brief illness. The elephant was in its sixties at the time of its death. (Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-CEREMONIAL TUSKER-MOURNING

(220307) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), March 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A girl mourns the death of the ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja" in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on March 7, 2022. Sri Lankan citizens on Monday mourned the death of the famous ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja," which died in the early hours of the day following a brief illness. The elephant was in its sixties at the time of its death. (Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-CEREMONIAL TUSKER-MOURNING

(220307) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), March 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People mourn the death of the ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja" in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on March 7, 2022. Sri Lankan citizens on Monday mourned the death of the famous ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja," which died in the early hours of the day following a brief illness. The elephant was in its sixties at the time of its death. (Xinhua)

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SRI LANKA-GAMPAHA-CEREMONIAL TUSKER-MOURNING

(220307) -- GAMPAHA (SRI LANKA), March 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People mourn the death of the ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja" in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, on March 7, 2022. Sri Lankan citizens on Monday mourned the death of the famous ceremonial tusker "Nadungamuwa Raja," which died in the early hours of the day following a brief illness. The elephant was in its sixties at the time of its death. (Xinhua)