In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka is grappling with severe flooding and devastating landslides that have left a trail of destruction—claiming nearly 500 lives and displacing thousands. The country’s Prime Minister, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has called this calamity one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s history.
Immediate Aftermath of the Cyclone
Heavy rains lashed Sri Lanka on 5 December 2024, impeding clean-up efforts as thousands of volunteers rushed to help affected communities. The Disaster Management Centre reported that up to 132mm of rainfall fell in a single 15-hour period, exacerbating the already dire situation. While floodwaters in the capital, Colombo, are subsiding, many areas still remain perilously unstable.
- Confirmed deaths: 486
- Missing individuals: 341
- Displaced population: 170,000 in state-run refugee camps
- Houses damaged: More than 50,000
Life in the Aftermath
Residents returning to their homes face daunting challenges. Nawaz Nashra, a local affected by the cyclone, described how she narrowly escaped with her daughter amidst the chaos. “It was pitch dark… We could only hear a sound like thunder,” she recounted, recalling her escape from the landslide.
Many have found refuge in makeshift shelters, but the conditions are far from ideal. Manjula Jayalath, another resident, voiced concerns about the limitations of facilities available, stating, “They tell us to leave, but where do we go?” Residents are working together to clear the debris, with officials providing financial aid for home clean-up and rebuilding efforts.
Government Response and Future Plans
President Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and is appealing for international support to aid recovery efforts. The government has begun allocating funds—25,000 rupees (approximately US$83) to support home cleaning and additional aid to initiate rebuilding damaged properties.
Despite the challenges, recovery efforts are gaining momentum. Approximately 336 people are still unaccounted for, as rescue teams comb through the affected areas, while many communities band together to assist one another in the face of adversity.
The journey ahead will undoubtedly be long and complicated, but with communal effort and support from governmental and international bodies, Sri Lanka will aim to rebuild and heal from this catastrophic event.