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SITUATION OVERVIEW
On 28 November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka causing loss of life and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) declared a state of emergency across the country and called for international assistance. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sri Lanka stands ready to respond and support GoSL in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone providing emergency assistance and relief, in the long-term recovery process.
While the full impact of the cyclone is still being assessed and search and rescue efforts continue, initial assessments show the cyclone has affected 1.76 million people, with 635 people confirmed dead and many more missing or injured. Thousands of buildings are completely or partially destroyed, including housing and public infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, places of worship and government buildings. The death toll is expected to rise in the coming days as search and rescue operations continue.