Detailed Impacts of Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka (As of November 30, 2025)
Cyclone Ditwah, a cyclonic storm with peak winds of 65 km/h (40 mph), brushed Sri Lanka’s eastern coast near Trincomalee on November 28, 2025, during the northeast monsoon season. This triggered the island’s most widespread rainfall in a decade—exceeding 300 mm (11.8 in) in 24 hours across central and eastern regions—causing catastrophic flooding, landslides, and storm surges. The disaster affected 20 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts, overwhelming emergency services and exacerbating vulnerabilities from the 2022 economic crisis and civil war legacies. By November 30, as rains eased in most areas (lingering in the north), the focus shifted to recovery amid receding waters revealing further damage.
Human and Casualty Impacts
- Deaths: 153 confirmed fatalities, primarily from landslides (e.g., 21 in a single Badulla event) and drowning in floods. This marks Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017.
- Missing: 191 unaccounted for, many swept away in remote hill villages or buried under debris; search operations continue with helicopters and drones.
- Injured and Affected: Over 500,000 people directly impacted, including 40+ injured from debris and falls. Vulnerable groups like Malaiyaha Tamil tea estate workers (poorest communities) face acute shortages of food, water, and shelter.
- Displacement: 108,000+ evacuated to ~800 relief centers; 78,000 in temporary shelters as of November 29. Many remain stranded, with rescue calls overwhelming services.
Infrastructure and Property Damage
- Homes and Buildings: Over 20,000 houses destroyed or damaged, with thousands partially buried by landslides. Urban fringes and rural line houses in tea estates hit hardest.
- Transportation: 15 flights diverted from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA); rail lines submerged, causing cancellations; 200+ km of roads and bridges blocked by debris and washouts, isolating 130+ villages.
- Utilities and Communications: Power outages affected 7 million initially (65% restored by November 30); mobile networks down in 35% of areas, complicating rescues.
- Ports and Coastal: Galle and Trincomalee ports closed due to surges up to 0.5–1 m; erosion damaged southern beaches.
Economic and Agricultural Losses
- Agriculture: 5,000+ hectares of crops (tea, rice, vegetables) ruined; tea estates in central hills (Badulla, Nuwara Eliya) lost 20–30% yields, costing LKR 5–10 billion in exports. Livestock deaths and irrigation damage compound food insecurity.
- Overall Economic Hit: Preliminary estimates exceed LKR 500 billion (USD 1.7 billion), including tourism disruptions (e.g., closed sites in Kandy, Galle) during peak season. Gem-mining in Ratnapura and fishing in coastal districts halted.
- Health Risks: Rising waters spread waterborne diseases; 150,000+ children at malnutrition risk. Psychosocial trauma affects survivors, especially in war-scarred eastern regions.
District-Wise Breakdown
The cyclone’s path amplified impacts in eastern (initial landfall), central (hills), and western (urban) provinces. Key hotspots:
| District (Province) | Deaths | Key Impacts | Specific Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandy (Central) | 51 | Landslides buried 30+ villages; 10,000 displaced; roads to estates cut off. | Gangoda, Hanguranketha. |
| Nuwara Eliya (Central) | 25+ | Tea fields uprooted; 50 villages isolated; 5,000 homes damaged. | Horton Plains estates. |
| Badulla (Uva) | 35 | 21 killed in one landslide; 2,000 homes buried; tea production halted. | Welimada, Haputale. |
| Colombo (Western) | 20+ | Urban flooding submerged suburbs; 65,000 power cuts; airport chaos. | Wellampitiya, Malwana, Kelaniya. |
| Trincomalee (Eastern) | 10 | Storm surge eroded coasts; ports closed; 20 villages flooded. | Uppuveli beaches. |
| Ratnapura (Sabaragamuwa) | 12 | River overflows flooded mines; 3,000 displaced. | Kalawana. |
Unaffected: Northern districts like Jaffna (minimal rain).
Broader Societal and Environmental Context
- Marginalized Communities: Estate workers and coastal fishers, already impoverished, face long-term displacement; Red Cross notes swelling relief needs.
- Environmental Toll: Soil erosion in hills threatens biodiversity; up to 1,000 ha of forests damaged alongside crops.
- Response Snapshot: State of emergency declared November 29; 20,500 troops deployed. International aid (e.g., India’s 21+ tons via Operation Sagar Bandhu, US $2M) aids 43,000+ families.
This disaster, linked to climate-amplified monsoons, highlights Sri Lanka’s need for resilient infrastructure. For updates, monitor the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Solidarity to those rebuilding—recovery will be arduous but united.