Cyclone \"Ditwah\" has intensified into a powerful tropical storm system, bringing unprecedented rainfall and severe weather impacts across Sri Lanka. As of 28 November 2025, the disaster has claimed 56 confirmed deaths, with 21 persons reported missing and 14 injured. Approximately 43,991 individuals from 12,313 families across 20 districts have been severely affected by heavy rainfall, catastrophic flooding, widespread landslides, and strong winds. The situation remains critical through 30 November 2025 as the cyclone continues its northwestward track, affecting historically vulnerable regions[3]. Significant infrastructure damage has been reported, with 4 houses destroyed and 666 partially damaged. Relief operations are ongoing, with 3,684 individuals sheltering in 12 safety centers and an additional 3,731 individuals staying with relatives, indicating major displacement challenges[1].
\nThe Department of Meteorology issued a 'RED' ALERT warning for both land and surrounding sea areas as of 27 November 2025, signifying the highest level of meteorological threat[5]. Cyclone Ditwah is very likely to move north-northwest across the island, cutting through major population centers and vulnerable terrain, including Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, and the central highlands.
\n","translation_module_original_language":"en"},{"status":8,"contacts":[{"ctype":"Originator","name":"Damitha Chanaka","title":"Manager - DM","email":"damitha.chanaka@redcross.lk","phone":"+94703514929","id":57108},{"ctype":"NationalSociety","name":"Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara","title":"Secretary General","email":"mahesh.gunasekara@redcross.lk","phone":"+94703471084","id":57109},{"ctype":"Federation","name":"Selvarajasingham UMAKANTHAN","title":"Senior Officer, Programmes","email":"selvarajasingham.umakanthan@ifrc.org","phone":"+94760671254","id":57110},{"ctype":"Media","name":"Umasha Keerthisinghe","title":"Assistant Manager - Reporting and Communications","email":"umasha.keerthisinghe@redcross.lk","phone":"+94 773774035","id":57111}],"countries":[{"iso":"LK","iso3":"LKA","id":160,"record_type":1,"record_type_display":"Country","region":2,"independent":true,"is_deprecated":false,"fdrs":"DLK001","average_household_size":null,"name":"Sri Lanka","society_name":"Sri Lanka Red Cross Society","translation_module_original_language":"en"}],"created_at":"2025-11-25T14:21:33.432180Z","updated_at":"2025-11-25T14:21:33.489228Z","report_date":"2025-11-25T14:21:33.420661Z","id":18006,"is_covid_report":false,"num_injured":null,"num_dead":null,"num_missing":null,"num_displaced":null,"epi_num_dead":null,"num_assisted":null,"num_localstaff":null,"num_volunteers":null,"num_expats_delegates":null,"gov_num_injured":null,"gov_num_dead":null,"gov_num_missing":null,"gov_num_displaced":null,"gov_num_assisted":null,"other_num_injured":null,"other_num_dead":null,"other_num_missing":null,"other_num_displaced":null,"other_num_assisted":null,"num_potentially_affected":100000,"num_highest_risk":65000,"gov_num_highest_risk":65000,"other_num_highest_risk":null,"affected_pop_centres":"Ampara/Trincomalee/Batticaloa/Mullaitivu/Kilinochchi/Vavuniya/Mannar/Jaffna/Anuradhapura/Polonnaruwa","gov_affected_pop_centres":"Ampara/Trincomalee/Batticaloa/Mullaitivu/Kilinochchi/Vavuniya/Mannar/Jaffna/Anuradhapura/Polonnaruwa","other_affected_pop_centres":null,"epi_cases":null,"epi_suspected_cases":null,"epi_probable_cases":null,"epi_confirmed_cases":null,"epi_figures_source":null,"epi_figures_source_display":null,"epi_cases_since_last_fr":null,"epi_deaths_since_last_fr":null,"epi_notes_since_last_fr":null,"visibility":1,"visibility_display":"RCRC Movement","request_assistance":false,"ns_request_assistance":false,"notes_health":null,"notes_ns":null,"notes_socioeco":null,"summary":"LKA: Flood - 11-2025 - The turmoil situation in the lower atmosphere including Southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka - low pressure situation ","description":"A severe rainfall exceeding 200mm is expected on November 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, according to the weather forecast issued by the Department of Meteorological Science. With the heavy rainfall that has been pounding over the past few days, the land in most mountainous areas has been flooded with water, so disaster conditions in the mountainous regions are expected to arise with heavy rainfall ahead.\npeople living in danger areas are pre signs of landslides related to the slopes (land cracks, ground sinking, trees/fences/electric poles/remote pole drawings/buildings on grounds and walls/emergency water springs emergency or scarfs, unstable rock pills in the upper slopes) The National Building Research Institute has informed the public to inform the concerned authorities and move to a safer place to protect lives, if such symptoms are noticed.\nSlope volatility can be expected particularly during severe rainfall conditions, and this incident that occurs immediately without showing previous signs of landslide is at risk of loss of lives.\nAlso, people living in at-risk areas and road users in those areas are also advised to act accordingly from the attention of pre-warning announcements and updates issued by the National Building Research Institute.\n\nhttps://meteo.gov.lk/pdfs/land_pdf.pdf?t=1764080363680\nhttps://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front-page/Sri-Lanka-braces-for-heavy-showers-in-coming-days/238-325945","translation_module_original_language":"en"}],"hide_attached_field_reports":false,"hide_field_report_map":false,"updated_at":"2026-02-12T08:43:54.883881Z","id":7713,"slug":null,"tab_one_title":"Additional Information","ifrc_severity_level":1,"ifrc_severity_level_display":"Orange","ifrc_severity_level_update_date":"2025-12-01T00:09:00Z","parent_event":null,"glide":"FL-2025-000213-LKA","featured_documents":[],"links":[],"emergency_response_contact_email":null,"countries_for_preview":[],"response_activity_count":0,"visibility":3,"active_deployments":0,"name":"Sri Lanka - Tropical Cyclone Ditwah, 2025","summary":"
The flood and landslide situation resulting from Cyclone Ditwah affected an estimated of more than 1.5 million people across the country, and 643 people are reported dead, and 183 people are reported missing (Sri Lanka Brief). According to the UN, the severely affected districts include Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kandy, Badulla, Matale, Vavuniya, Kegalle. Over 200 severe landslides damaged or destroyed around 100,000 houses, with 6,176 fully damaged and more than 95,213 partially damaged across multiple districts. (Disaster Management Centre).
\r\nThe affected people have lost their homes, agriculture, livestock, etc. Access to clean water remains a major concern, with reports of drinking water sources being contaminated with floodwater. The initial data shows that 622 water schemes were severely damaged, including 85 major urban water supply schemes and 540 water treatment plants. Approximately 413,000 household connections were disrupted, representing more than 14 per cent of national connections. In rural areas, around 538 community-managed schemes are affected, reducing access for roughly 751,000 people. Many dug wells remain inundated, increasing contamination risks and the likelihood of waterborne disease as floodwaters recede.
\r\nAs of 15 December, the water has receded; however, the devastation is more visible than ever. Physical infrastructure, including roads swept away by floods and landslides, is gradually reconnecting to the wider network. However, it is expected to take a considerable amount of time to reconstruct. Severe disruption to electricity, mobile, and communications was reported in northern districts in the initial days of the disaster, which is now restored but not completely.
\r\nIt is reported that nearly 70,055 people are still living in 762 safety centres (Disaster Management Centre), including schools converted into emergency accommodation. These temporary accommodations are not designed to support a large number of people with proper sanitation, which might result in water-borne and vector-borne diseases. Children residing in the safety centres require psychosocial support as they might be going through trauma, which will have long-term risks if not addressed on time.
\r\nFloods and cyclone Ditwah caused severe damage to education, agriculture, and health services. About 1,185 schools are in flood-affected areas, impacting nearly 459,000 school-age children, 28,900 teachers, and 68,000 preschoolers. As of 16 December, 159 schools remain closed, many serving as safety shelters. Agriculture suffered heavily, with 564,000 hectares of paddy at risk and 96,000 hectares of other crops plus 13,000 hectares of vegetables destroyed by floods and strong winds. Health services were also disrupted, as 243 health institutions reported major damage and over 200 faced access issues. Power and water outages cut off essential services, affecting over 100 facilities, including critical hospital units like operating theatres. UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.
\r\nAs of 15 December, the SLRCS reached out to 12,941 peopel with essential households- dry rationsm hygiene packs, baby kits, baby sheets, towels, sarang, kaftan, sleeping mats, jerry cans etc. Additionally, 4,981 people were reaced with teh emerency first aid services. Hygien promotion activities are ongoin in te communities by mobilizing 300 volunteers across affected districts. Similarly, more than 15,000 liters of bottled water distributed and 271 women/irls reacehd wit 271 packs of sanitary napkins distributed in the safety centres and at the communities. The SLRCS distributed 100 materenity kits and 200 dignity kits wit te support from UNFPA reaching to 300 prenant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls.
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