The situation in Sri Lanka is catastrophic—yes, the floods driven by Cyclone Ditwah have already killed at least 123 people, forced tens of thousands to flee, and left 130 missing as of November 29, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- 123 confirmed dead, 130 missing, as floods and mudslides sweep the country.
- Roughly 44,000 people displaced, now sheltering in temporary centers after homes were destroyed or flooded.
- Government responded by closing schools, suspending offices and transport, including rail services — entire regions remain cut off.
- Landslides struck hard, especially in central‑hilly districts (tea plantation zones), causing many deaths and massive destruction.
What Happened — Fast and Furious
Cyclone Ditwah makes landfall — and devastates
- Cyclone Ditwah formed in the Bay of Bengal on November 26, intensified rapidly, and struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coast by Wednesday, November 27.
- Between November 26–27, some regions recorded over 300 mm of rain — unprecedented for such a short span.
- Rivers and reservoirs overflowed, roads and railway tracks submerged or blocked by mud and debris.
Landslides + Floods = Massive destruction
- Central highlands — historically prone to landslides — were hit hardest. Houses, tea‑plantation villages, roads destroyed.
- People trapped: some stranded on rooftops, others rescued from trees and floodwaters by army, navy, and air‑force.
- Infrastructure damage widespread: homes destroyed (≈ 15,000 destroyed), shelters overwhelmed.
Government Response & Relief Efforts
- The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) declared nationwide emergency: evacuated ~ 44,000 people to roughly 488 welfare centers.
- Schools, offices, train services suspended. Key roads closed. Flights disrupted.
- Armed forces mobilized: police, navy, army and air‑force involved in rescue, evacuations, and aid distribution.
- Government has appealed for international aid, as scale of destruction — homes lost, displaced populations, missing persons — overwhelms national capacity.
What It Means for Sri Lanka — And Why It Matters
A humanitarian crisis in real time
Thousands are homeless. Many families lost everything overnight. With hundreds missing, some nowhere to be found — waiting for rescue. Displacement, trauma.
Long‑term damage to economy and infrastructure
Major damage to homes, roads, railways, plantations. Central‑hill tea areas — backbone of Sri Lanka’s export economy — hit hard. Rebuilding will take months, maybe years.
Climate change impact shows up raw
This was not just monsoon rain: the intensity and speed of rainfall and flooding point to shifting climate patterns. Storm‑driven rain events like Ditwah may become more common.
Regional ripple effects
As cyclone moves toward India’s southern coast, neighbouring countries brace for possible disruptions. Plus, global supply chains that rely on Sri Lankan exports (like tea) may feel pressure.
What Needs to Happen Now
- Faster search and rescue, especially in remote, cut‑off regions. Gap between reported missing and accessible areas must shrink.
- Urgent international humanitarian aid — shelter, clean water, medical supplies. Government’s appeal must be acted on swiftly.
- Restoration of critical infrastructure — roads, bridges, power, communication — to re‑enable rescue, relief, and recovery.
- Long-term climate‑resilience planning: improved flood‑control, better land‑use (avoid steep‑slope settlements), stronger weather warning systems — because events like this may repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The combination of extreme rainfall (> 300 mm in 24 h), heavy winds, saturated soil → triggered widespread landslides in central hills, and rivers overflowed across plains — causing both flooding and deadly landslides.
A: Roughly 44,000 people have been moved to temporary shelters (welfare centers) after losing homes or being evacuated.
A: Cyclone Ditwah has moved away toward southern India — but rivers remain swollen, soil unstable, and further rainfall is possible. Risk of additional flooding and landslides remains until water recedes and ground stabilizes.
