Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka and left severe damage and loss of life. The country’s Disaster Management Center reported 643 dead and more than 180 missing. The storm brought heavy rainfall, triggered nearly 2,000 landslides and cut off dozens of towns. Reservoir spill gates released surging water that caused downstream flooding and submerged some two‑storey buildings.
More than 1.1 million hectares flooded, nearly one‑fifth of the country, and early damage estimates were US$6–7 billion, equal to about three to five per cent of GDP. A UNDP rapid assessment found many affected people already had unstable incomes and high debt.
Specialists said the scale of loss shows long‑standing planning and governance failures. Landslide‑hazard maps had identified risky terrain, yet many collapses occurred in those zones. Experts call for clearer, location‑specific warnings, better use of available tools and science‑led rebuilding after the country’s recent economic collapse.
Difficult words
- cyclone — a powerful tropical storm with strong winds
- landslide — when earth, rock or soil move quickly downhilllandslides
- reservoir — artificial lake used to store water for use
- submerge — to become covered completely by watersubmerged
- hectare — metric unit for measuring land areahectares
- downstream — in the direction that a river or flow goes
- assessment — a quick study to judge damage or help needed
- governance — how a country or organization is managed
- terrain — the physical features and shape of land
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could clearer, location-specific warnings help people living in risky terrain?
- What problems might unstable incomes and high debt create for people after this disaster?
- What changes in planning and governance would you suggest to reduce similar damage in the future?
