Authorities in Kandy have revealed the tragic human cost of recent floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, reporting that dozens of children have been orphaned.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, 32 children have lost their fathers, seven have lost their mothers, and three children have lost both parents.

District Assistant Director Indika Ranaweera informed a committee meeting that the disaster claimed 241 lives in the Kandy district alone, with 68 people still missing.

The scale of the crisis has left over 180,000 people affected, with thousands of homes either fully or partially destroyed.

Currently, more than 2,000 families remain in 95 safety centers across the district.

Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha, who chaired the meeting, confirmed that the government is finalising emergency payments of Rs. 25,000 per household for cleaning efforts, while dry rations are being distributed to all affected families as recovery operations continue.