Cyclone Dithva death toll exceeds 150; 203 missing

30-Nov-2025

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Despite Cyclone Dithva having already passed over the island, continuing landslides and flooding have pushed the death toll to 159. Another 203 people are missing.

Badulla and Kandy districts have recorded the highest number of casualties.

Kandy has reported 52 deaths and 105 missing persons.

Badulla has recorded 52 deaths and 42 missing.

A total of 833,985 people from 234,503 families have been affected nationwide.

Additionally, 122,822 people from 34,198 families are housed in 919 temporary shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

In Pannala, an elders’ home was submerged, and due to transport disruptions, at least 11 elderly residents died. Emergency workers and volunteers managed to rescue 14 people despite the severe weather.

A major earth embankment collapsed in Kavarammana along the Welimada–Nuwara Eliya main road, trapping Road Development Authority workers clearing debris. A second landslide struck during their work. 

A lorry driver went missing, while another trapped individual was rescued.

Near the Welimada–Kepetipola Police Station, another landslide blocked the Welimada–Nuwara Eliya main road. Two bodies were recovered from the site.

A large landslide struck Rambukkele village on the Angumbura road under the Alawathugoda Police Division on November 29. Many residents are believed to be missing, but no confirmed details on the missing or dead are yet available. Police stated that rescue teams are still unable to reach the location.