Attachments
CRISIS IMPACT OVERVIEW
On 28 November, Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka, triggering the worst floods the country has seen in over 20 years. The cyclone has affected more than 1.6 million people across all 25 districts of the country. Districts Puttalam, Colombo, Gampaha, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Kurunegala, account for nearly 66% of the affected population (GoSL accessed 01/12/2025; DMC 04/12/2025; WFP 04/12/2025). As of 3 December, 479 people have been killed by the cyclone while 350 others remain missing (UN RC Sri Lanka 03/12/2025; DMC 03/12/2025; WFP 04/12/2025). The cyclone first hit moved slowly northwards along Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline, continued to move northwards, reaching the Indian coastline (Indian Express 03/12/2025). Cyclone Ditwah damaged and destroyed more than 4525,700 homes. As of 3 December, more than 188,000 people were staying in 1,37485 government-run safety shelters (UN RC Sri Lanka 03/12/2025; OCHA 30/11/2025; DMC 04/12/2025). The exact number of people displaced remains uncertain, as many are probably unregistered and likely staying with relatives. Flood waters and debris continue to block access to some of the affected areas, restricting humanitarian access to communities. By 3 December clearance operations have reopened several key roadways such as the Colombo–Kandy road, which connected Kadugannawa. However, at least 95 roads remained closed and 20 bridges were damaged (NewsFirst 03/12/2025; UN RC Sri Lanka 03/12/2025; OCHA 30/11/2025; Daily Mirror 02/12/2025). Access limitations keep evolving because of the risk of further landslides in several districts (Reuters 03/12/2025; Adaderana 02/12/2025). The extent of damage to public infrastructure is still being assessed, though early reports point to major disruptions in transport, power, water, and essential services (News 01/12/2025; BBC 30/11/2025). Clean water access also remains a concern because of severe damage to water treatment infrastructure (UN RC Sri Lanka 03/12/2025).
ANTICIPATED SCOPE AND SCALE
As of 2 December, the cyclonic storm has weakened and left Sri Lankan territory (Disaster Management Centre accessed 01/12/2025). However, more rain is forecast, and the risk of further flooding remains elevated. The risk has prompted national authorities to extend the flood warning issued for the Mahaweli River Basin (which is located in the impacted districts into more central districts) until at least 3 December (Ada Derana 01/12/2025; Disaster Management Centre accessed 01/12/2025). More rain and the risk of further flooding and landslides are likely to delay and hinder rescue operations and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It will also prevent displaced people from returning to their homes, prolonging displacement. December marks the beginning of Sri Lanka’s second monsoon season which affects the eastern part of the country, which is the region more affected by Cyclone Ditwah (DCS accessed 01/12/2025). Some reservoirs in the east, such as the Navakiri Tank in Ampara District, are already nearing full capacity at the start of the season, heightening the risk of flooding as the rains continue. Because the reservoir is limited in capacity, any additional rainfall or runoff will flow downstream at a rate that rivers and channels cannot contain (River Net accessed 02/12/2025).