The human toll has been severe: 390 lives lost, 352 missing, and more than 382,650 families – nearly 1.4 million individuals - displaced into temporary shelters. The Kandy District reported the highest number of fatalities. Landslides buried homes, livestock, and farmland, while floodwaters submerged factories and cut off major roads, isolating communities and disrupting supply chains.
Reservoirs in key river basins, including Kelani, Mahaweli, Ma Oya, Daduru Oya, and Attanagalu Oya, reached critical levels, forcing authorities to release water to protect dams - worsening downstream flooding. Operations at Bandaranaike International Airport were disrupted, with 15 flights diverted to South India. The Colombo Stock Exchange halted trading, schools and train services were suspended, and military and police coordinated evacuations, including the dramatic airlifting of people trapped in floods.
International support has begun to arrive. India was first to respond with relief supplies and naval assistance, followed by Pakistan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
𝗚𝗪𝗣 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) expressed its condolences to Sri Lanka and other Asian nations affected by recent floods. GWP stands ready to support immediate response and long-term resilience efforts, including strengthening early warning systems, accelerating climate-resilient water infrastructure, and supporting governments in risk assessments and recovery strategies.
Cyclone Ditwa
Cyclone Ditwa, named after Detwah Lagoon an ecologically significant coastal waterbody Socotra Archipelago in Yemen. Ditwa is an active and deadly tropical cyclone that brought heavy rains to Sri Lanka and Southern India from 28 November and early December 2025.