Cyclone Ditwah has caused catastrophic flooding across Sri Lanka, affecting nearly one million people in all 25 districts. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 212 people have died, 218 remain missing, and over 180,000 individuals from more than 51,000 families are taking shelter in 1,094 government-run safety centres as search and rescue operations continue.
The cyclone made landfall on 28 November and moved back over the Bay of Bengal, triggering some of the worst flooding the country has experienced since the early 2000s. The hardest-hit districts include Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa, while landslides in the central highlands have severely affected Kandy, Badulla, and Matale.
Initial assessments indicate that over 15,000 homes have been destroyed, more than 200 roads are impassable, at least 10 bridges damaged, and parts of the rail network and national power grid disrupted. Flooding along the Kelani River, which passes through Colombo, continues to hamper access and disrupt communication from affected communities, complicating rescue and relief efforts. Northern districts like Jaffna report severe disruptions to electricity, mobile networks, and transport, leaving some villages isolated. Access to clean water is also a major concern.
Sri Lanka’s health system is under severe strain, with several district hospitals flooded and only partially operational. Critically ill patients are being airlifted to functioning facilities. Recurring landslides and breached tank bunds, such as at Mavilaaru, are increasing risks in Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Authorities have warned of rising food insecurity due to submerged farmland, damaged storage facilities, and severed supply routes, which may lead to shortages and price increases. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted heightened risks of vector-borne, food-borne, and water-borne diseases and urged communities to prioritize food safety, safe drinking water, and mosquito prevention.
The United Nations in Sri Lanka activated its emergency coordination system to support government-led rescue and recovery efforts, establishing sector coordination across food security, health, water and sanitation, education, protection, shelter, and early recovery. A multi-sector needs assessment is underway with disaster management authorities to identify urgent gaps. UNICEF has delivered portable water to 25 safety centres in flood-isolated Badulla, while India and Pakistan have deployed emergency teams to assist Sri Lanka’s armed forces in the hardest-hit districts.
Severe flooding is also affecting other parts of Asia. In southern Thailand, more than two million people are impacted, while nearly 25,000 have been displaced in Malaysia. In Indonesia, floods and landslides in Sumatra have resulted in at least 440 deaths and over 400 missing, leaving thousands stranded without food or water.
