A devastating cyclone has left hundreds dead in Sri Lanka, triggering massive landslides and leaving a trail of destruction that officials are calling the nation's worst-ever natural disaster. The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah rose to 366 by late Monday, with hundreds more still missing as rescue operations continue.

The tragedy in the fellow Indian Ocean nation is a stark reminder of the growing threat of extreme weather events, mirroring the challenges Kenya has faced with recent deadly floods and persistent droughts. It sharpens the focus on climate resilience and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness infrastructure across the region.

In Sri Lanka's hilly Badulla district, where at least 71 people were confirmed dead, the storm's fury was deeply personal. "Our home was buried under the earth," recounted Layani Rasika Niroshani, a 36-year-old mother of two whose family home was engulfed by a landslide. "My family is in shock. We have to rebuild from scratch."

A Nation in Shock

The scale of the disaster is immense, affecting all 25 districts of the country. In a national address, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described it as the "largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history". The government has declared a state of emergency to fast-track relief efforts.

International aid has begun to arrive, with nations like India and Japan sending emergency teams and relief goods. However, the challenges are monumental.

• Displaced Population: Over 209,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
• Infrastructure Damage: More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed, with hundreds of roads and multiple bridges rendered impassable.
• Affected People: Nearly one million people have been impacted by the cyclone across the island.

A Familiar Warning for Kenya

The scenes of devastation in Sri Lanka resonate powerfully with Kenya's own recent struggles. In 2024, severe flooding in Kenya resulted in hundreds of deaths, displaced tens of thousands, and caused widespread damage to farmland and infrastructure. These events highlight the shared vulnerability of nations in the region to climate shocks, which are increasing in frequency and intensity.

As Sri Lanka begins the arduous task of recovery, President Dissanayake has initiated talks with the World Bank to assess the vast financial cost of reconstruction. For survivors like Niroshani, the path forward is uncertain. Her closing words reflect a profound sense of loss: "Sometimes that’s even worse than living."