Capital Submerged as Cyclone Wreaks Havoc
Torrential rains and severe flooding have plunged Sri Lanka into a state of emergency, with the capital city, Colombo, and the neighbouring Gampaha district facing a dramatic rise in water levels. The crisis unfolded on Sunday, prompting urgent evacuations as authorities worked to move thousands of residents from low-lying areas to safety.
Rising Waters and a Soaring Death Toll
The devastating weather is a direct result of a powerful cyclone that has battered the island nation. Officials have reported a grim and rising casualty figure, with nearly 200 people confirmed dead and hundreds more still unaccounted for. The relentless downpours have not only caused widespread flooding but have also triggered destructive mudslides across the region, compounding the disaster and hampering rescue efforts.
Communities Displaced and a Nation in Crisis
The scale of the displacement is immense, with countless families forced from their homes as floodwaters inundated everything in their path. The phrase 'Everything is underwater' has become a heartbreaking reality for communities in the affected areas. Emergency services are engaged in a race against time to locate the missing and provide essential aid to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
