CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Environment

Heavy Rain Hampers Sri Lanka’s Recovery After Deadly Cyclone Ditwah

02:57 PM, 12/05/2025
Heavy Rain Hampers Sri Lanka’s Recovery After Deadly Cyclone Ditwah

Heavy rains in southern Sri Lanka have disrupted recovery after Cyclone Ditwah, which caused the country’s worst floods in a decade. Officials report at least 486 dead, more than 50,000 homes damaged and about 170,000 people in relief centres, with 341 still missing. The government has declared a state of emergency, pledged international assistance and begun cleanup and reconstruction payments, but ongoing downpours and unstable slopes continue to hamper relief work.

Heavy Rain Stalls Rescue and Rebuilding

Intense rainfall across southern Sri Lanka has further complicated recovery efforts after Cyclone Ditwah, which struck last week and produced the worst floods in a decade. Local authorities reported more than 130 mm (5.1 inches) of rain fell in the south within a 15-hour period, with additional heavy showers forecast across southern and southwestern districts.

Human Toll and Damage

Officials from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and local sources say the cyclone has killed at least 486 people, left 341 still missing, damaged more than 50,000 homes and pushed roughly 170,000 people into relief centres. Entire villages were inundated or buried by landslides, particularly in low-lying and hill-country areas.

Government Response and Aid

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and vowed to rebuild with international support. In a televised address he said:

"We also recognise that what we are undertaking is the most difficult rescue operation in our nation’s history."

Prabath Chandrakeerthi, commissioner-general of essential services and the official coordinating recovery, said authorities are paying 25,000 rupees (about $81) to clean each affected home. Reconstruction costs are estimated at $6–7 billion, and authorities have earmarked 2.5 million rupees (about $8,100) to begin rebuilding destroyed houses.

Infrastructure and Ongoing Risks

Nearly three-quarters of the national electricity supply had been restored according to Chandrakeerthi’s office, but some areas—especially in the Central Province—remain without power and telephone service. Officials have warned that people evacuated from landslide-prone central hills should not return immediately, as slopes remain unstable and secondary landslides are possible.

Public Reaction and Regional Context

Residents in the hardest-hit areas have criticised the government’s preparedness and response. "I have lost my house, and my crop… What are we going to do?" said Prasanna Shantha Kumara, who is staying in a relief centre. The cyclone and flooding are part of a wider regional disaster: Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia also suffered catastrophic floods and landslides last week, with a combined death toll of roughly 1,500 people.

Outlook

Authorities continue search-and-rescue operations, deliver emergency aid and assess damage, but additional heavy showers—media report up to 75 mm (3 inches) expected in some southern and southwestern coastal areas, including around Colombo—could slow relief and reconstruction work. International support and a coordinated long-term recovery plan will be critical to stabilizing affected communities and rebuilding infrastructure.

Similar Articles

Trending