COLOMBO, Nov. 28, 2025: Sri Lankan troops were racing to rescue hundreds of people marooned by rising floodwaters on Friday as weather-related deaths rose to 69, while 21 others remain missing as a result of the adverse weather conditions triggered by Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. The DMC also reported that 14 individuals have been injured, and that the disaster has affected 12,313 families, amounting to 43,991 people across multiple districts.
More showers, over 200 mm rain expected today
Due to the effect of Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” intermittent showers and thundershowers will occur over Northern, North-central, Central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district and very heavy falls above 200 mm are likely at some places today (29), the Meteorology department predicted.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Very heavy falls above 150 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces.
Six aircraft diverted to Mattala, Trivandrum and Cochin airports
The airport officer in charge said that due to the prevailing atmospheric turbulence around Sri Lanka, steps were taken to divert six aircraft arriving at the Katunayake Airport to Mattala in Hambantota and Trivandrum and Cochin airports in India. Accordingly, Salam Airlines OV-437, which was arriving at Katunayake Airport from Muscat, Oman has been diverted to the Mattala Airport.
