Sri Lanka is experiencing torrential rainfall, severe flooding and landslides as the northeast monsoon intensifies, worsened by the impact of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah which made landfall on the island’s eastern coast early morning on 28 November 2025. Cyclone Ditwah has resulted in a devastating nationwide emergency in Sri Lanka, affecting more than 1.4 million people from over 407,594 families across all 25 districts as of 10.00 am on 02 Dec 2025. The cyclone caused 410 confirmed deaths, and 336 people remain missing. Nearly 233,000 people have been displaced into almost 1,441 active shelters as homes and community infrastructure sustained severe damage. More than 565 houses fully destroyed and over 20,271 partially damaged.
The human impact has been most heavily concentrated in the central and south-central districts, where Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, and Matale together account for the highest fatalities, reflecting the vulnerability of hill-country communities where landslides and access constraints continue to hamper rescue operations. Flooding along the Kelani River and landslides in the central hills have further complicated humanitarian access as emergency regulations come into force.
Clean water access remains a critical concern, food insecurity is increasing as farmland and supply chains suffer extensive damage, and the health system is under mounting strain. In response to the cyclone a nationwide emergency has been declared, and the UN and humanitarian partners have activated a coordinated multi-sector response, begun a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment, and are developing a Joint Response Plan to guide relief and resource mobilization.
Regional and international support is expanding as rescue teams and relief flights reach affected communities, while humanitarian agencies warn of escalating health risks from contaminated water and deepening food insecurity. WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, in mobilizing rapid response teams, strengthening surveillance efforts, and—through its role as Health Cluster lead—coordinating with partners across the health, WASH, nutrition and other sectors to ensure an efficient, coordinated and timely response.