Over 120 dead as severe floods hit Sri Lanka

At least 123 people have died in Sri Lanka following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Dutwa, authorities have said.

The country’s Disaster Management Centre confirmed the fatalities, attributing them to the extreme weather conditions brought by the cyclone, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

A further 130 people are reported missing as search and rescue operations continue.

Sri Lanka is facing rising river levels, with the Disaster Management Centre issuing a red flood warning for low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley, including the capital, Colombo, over the next 48 hours.

During a parliamentary session, MP Ajith Perera highlighted an emergency involving a bus stranded near the Kala Wewa reservoir for over an hour. Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed the bus had been halted due to dangerous conditions. Armed forces were deployed, and a helicopter was authorised to rescue the passengers.

In Anuradhapura, the military conducted three helicopter rescues on November 28, including a man who had spent the night stranded atop a coconut tree, according to the Sri Lankan Air Force.

Residents in low-lying areas are urged to move to higher ground as flood risks escalate.

By Aghakazim Guliyev