By 
Colombo, Sri Lanka – December 3, 2025
Sri Lanka is grappling with widespread floods and landslides following the heavy rains brought by Cyclone Ditwah, leaving thousands displaced and hundreds dead. Rivers, including the Kelani near Colombo, have overflowed, and hillside communities have been buried under mudslides.
Officials report that 465 people have lost their lives, with 366 still missing. Over 1.5 million people are affected, and more than 783 homes have been destroyed. Thousands of families are taking shelter in emergency relief centers.
The government has declared a state of emergency and deployed the military to carry out rescue and relief operations. International aid is also arriving to support the country’s overwhelmed resources. Efforts are ongoing to reach remote areas cut off by landslides and flooding.
The floods have caused severe damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, power lines, and water supply systems. Daily life has been disrupted, with many areas still lacking electricity and clean water. Agriculture, particularly tea plantations and farmland, has suffered extensive losses, posing risks to both livelihoods and food security.
Economists and disaster experts warn that this catastrophe highlights climate change risks, deforestation, and insufficient disaster preparedness. Authorities and humanitarian organizations are working to provide food, medical aid, and long-term relief, while also planning reconstruction efforts.
Residents are being urged to follow safety advisories, avoid flood-affected areas, and seek shelter in designated relief centers until conditions improve.
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