ISTANBUL

At least 69 people have died and 34 others have gone missing due to massive flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, local media reported on Friday.

The island country has been hit by severe weather, including heavy rainfall, rising floodwaters, and landslides, since Nov. 17, with rescue operations continuing in hard-hit areas.

The recent adverse weather was caused by cyclone Ditwah, which was first tracked on Nov. 26 off Sri Lanka, the Newswire reported, citing the Disaster Management Center.

More than 219,000 individuals have been affected by the cyclone, while 18,443 people remain in safety shelters due to the weather, according to the center.

Authorities have also issued high-risk flood alerts for several major rivers, advising people living downstream of these waterways to evacuate immediately.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the deployment of more than 20,000 military personnel to conduct rescue operations, according to the Daily Mirror.

Authorities earlier issued a red-alert landslide warning for eight high-risk districts, signaling a severe risk to steep slopes, hillside communities, and vulnerable zones.

Residents in those districts have been urged to remain on high alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and be prepared for immediate evacuation.