The recent flooding in Sri Lanka,
what caused it, and its impacts:
📌 *What Happened*
In *late November 2025**, **Cyclone Ditwah**, a severe tropical cyclone, struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coast (around 27–28 Nov). The storm brought **intense, prolonged rainfall* — in some areas more than *350 mm (14 inches) in 24 hours* — far above normal levels for the region. This led to:
*Extreme flooding* across all 25 districts of the island,
**Widespread landslides**, especially in hill country regions, and
Major rivers overflowing their banks. ([World Weather Attribution][1])
The flooding was among the **worst Sri Lanka has seen in decades**, rivaling impacts from major past disasters. ([Global Flood Awareness System][2])
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🌧️ *Primary Causes*
🌀 *Cyclone Ditwah*
The cyclone was the immediate trigger. It stalled and dumped massive amounts of rain over a short period. ([World Weather Attribution][1])
🌧️ *Monsoon Conditions*
The cyclone reinforced the **northeast monsoon**, which already brings heavy seasonal rains to Sri Lanka’s east and central regions, intensifying the downpours. ([World Health Organization][3])
🌍 *Climate Change*
Experts say climate change is making such extreme rain events more frequent and intense — amplifying storms, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing flood risk. ([Al Jazeera][4])
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💥 *Impact on People and Infrastructure*
🧑🤝🧑 *Human Toll*
*Hundreds of people have died* as a result of flooding and landslides. Official estimates vary as rescue and recovery continue, but the overall death toll is in the **hundreds**, with many more missing or injured. ([Newsfirst][5])
**Millions of people have been affected nationwide**, with entire communities displaced. Relief centers are housing tens of thousands of displaced families. ([Newsfirst][5])
🏠 *Homes and Displacement*
Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed or badly damaged.
Over *100,000 people lived in temporary shelters* at peak displacement levels. ([Save the Children][6])
🏙️ *Urban Flooding*
Even the capital, **Colombo**, saw major floods as river levels rose, inundating streets and residential areas. ([The Independent][7])
🛣️ *Infrastructure & Economy*
*Bridges, roads, rail lines, water systems and power networks* were disrupted.
The World Bank estimates direct damages at **around US $4.1 billion**, hitting homes, infrastructure, and agriculture — around **4 % of Sri Lanka’s GDP**. ([World Bank][8])
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🐾 *Broader Environmental Impacts*
The flooding also affected **wildlife and protected areas**, damaging ecosystems and displacing animals. ([Mongabay News][9])
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🆘 *Ongoing Response & Aftermath*
Sri Lanka has sought **international support**, including emergency funding under global climate “loss and damage” mechanisms. ([Mongabay News][10])
Aid from NGOs and international organizations (like the Red Cross and UNICEF) is helping with relief supplies, shelters and recovery planning. ([IFRC][11])
The government is focusing on restoring essential services, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and planning for long-term resilience.
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🧠 *Why It’s Significant*
This disaster:
Was one of the **deadliest and most destructive weather events in Sri Lanka in decades**. ([World Weather Attribution][1])
Highlighted how *extreme weather amplified by climate change* is stressing disaster-preparedness systems. ([Al Jazeera][4])
Has long-term consequences for **livelihoods, food security, and economy**. ([World Bank][8])
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