Colombo: Cyclone Ditwah, which swept through Sri Lanka at the end of November, has caused severe damage and is expected to delay the country’s fragile economic recovery. Officials and aid agencies say the disaster has pushed millions of people into hardship, with many families already struggling after years of economic challenges.
According to government estimates, the cyclone has flooded nearly one fifth of the country. More than 2.3 million people were living in affected areas when the storm hit. Roads, railways, bridges and thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed. About 720000 structures and more than 16000 kilometres of roads are reported to be affected.
Agriculture has suffered a major blow. Close to 575000 hectares of paddy fields were destroyed, and tea production is expected to drop sharply in December. Exports of tea are an important source of income for Sri Lanka and a decline could reduce foreign earnings. Many small farmers have lost their crops and say they do not know how they will survive the coming months.
The official death toll has risen above 600 and authorities warn the number may continue to climb as search teams reach remote areas. Landslides triggered by the heavy rainfall have made rescue work difficult and cut off many communities from essential services.
Early assessments suggest the total cost of rebuilding could reach 7 billion US dollars. The government has asked global partners including the International Monetary Fund for financial support. An IMF team is expected to visit the country in January to assess needs and discuss possible assistance. The government has already requested at least 200 million US dollars in emergency funding.
Humanitarian organisations say the cyclone has hit some of the most vulnerable communities. Many families were already facing debt and unstable income and now risk falling deeper into poverty. Aid groups are working to provide temporary housing food medicine and clean water in the worst affected districts.
Experts warn that economic reforms planned for next year may be delayed as the government focuses on restoring basic infrastructure and supporting displaced families. Recovery is expected to take months and in some areas possibly years.
As Sri Lanka continues rescue and relief operations the immediate focus remains on rebuilding homes restoring transport links and helping affected families restart their lives.