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Cyclone Ditwah: A disaster of historic proportions
Sri Lanka is reeling from the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island nation in November last year, leaving a trail of destruction unprecedented in its recent history. The cyclone dumped up to 500mm of rain in just three days-equivalent to two months' average rainfall-triggering catastrophic floods and landslides that obliterated homes, businesses, and entire communities.
Human toll and infrastructure damage
The cyclone claimed 643 lives and left 173 people missing, with its impact surpassing even the devastating 2004 tsunami in terms of infrastructure damage. Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, a visiting senior fellow at ODI Global Institute in London, told the BBC that while the loss of life was lower than during the tsunami, the destruction of property and critical infrastructure was far greater.
Indrani Ravichandran, a resident of Kudugalhena village in Kandy district, recounted the harrowing experience of fleeing her home as floodwaters rose rapidly. "The water level rose swiftly. We rushed out and hardly had any time to pick up anything from the house," she said. "It was pitch dark, the rain was lashing down, and the slopes were slippery. We were terrified of treading on poisonous animals as we ran. But we were lucky to survive."
Her husband, Ravichandran, added, "It was the first time in 30 years we witnessed such ferocious floods."
Economic crisis compounds recovery efforts
The cyclone struck at a time when Sri Lanka was already battling an unprecedented economic crisis that began in 2022. The World Bank estimates that Cyclone Ditwah affected nearly two million people across all 25 districts, causing an estimated $4 billion in damage-equivalent to 4% of the country's GDP. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described it as the worst economic disaster in Sri Lanka's history.
In response, the government announced financial aid, including 50,000 rupees ($325) for families to repair partially damaged homes and up to five million rupees for those whose homes were completely destroyed. Families of the deceased were promised one million rupees in compensation. However, months after the disaster, over 165,000 people remain displaced, living with relatives or in temporary shelters while awaiting permanent housing solutions.
The economic fallout from the cyclone has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and strained Sri Lanka's already fragile economy. The government has been forced to ration fuel, introduce a four-day workweek, and impose water and power cuts to conserve dwindling resources. Electricity costs have surged by up to 40%, and fuel shortages have triggered panic buying reminiscent of the 2022 crisis.
International aid: A mixed response
Despite the scale of the disaster, international assistance has been slow to materialize. The Sri Lankan government has received only about $750 million of the $4 billion needed for reconstruction and rehabilitation. In contrast to the billions pledged after the 2004 tsunami, the response to Cyclone Ditwah has been muted.
India emerged as the largest donor, launching Operation Sagar Bandhu ("Friend Across the Sea") to provide immediate relief. The Indian military deployed two warships, including an aircraft carrier, and air force helicopters rescued hundreds of people. India also delivered over 1,000 tonnes of critical supplies and provided $450 million in grants and aid. In contrast, China, a major investor in Sri Lanka, offered only $2 million in aid and 100 tonnes of supplies.
In January, Sri Lanka formally requested Beijing's assistance in rebuilding key infrastructure damaged by the cyclone. However, progress has been slow, with officials prioritizing long-term resilience over rapid relief efforts.
Government response and future challenges
KG Dharmathilake, a senior official in Sri Lanka's disaster management division, stated that over 80% of affected residents had received financial assistance for repairing damaged homes. However, delays persist in compensating families who lost their entire homes or businesses. "We are in the process of identifying suitable and safe land to build new houses. Once the areas are identified, the government will provide the aid," Dharmathilake said, emphasizing the need to "build back better" to withstand future disasters.
The economic strain from the Iran conflict has further complicated recovery efforts. Sri Lanka relies heavily on remittances from workers in Gulf countries, which totaled $7 billion last year. While no large-scale layoffs have been reported yet, concerns persist about reduced employment opportunities for Sri Lankans abroad.
Economists like Wignaraja warn that while the government may manage the immediate crisis with effective fiscal policies, prolonged instability in the Middle East could push Sri Lanka into another economic downturn. "They will be in difficulty if the fallout of the Middle East crisis continues for a while," he said.
As Sri Lanka navigates this multifaceted crisis, the government's ability to address reconstruction and economic challenges will test President Dissanayake's leadership in the months ahead.
