Colombo — New geospatial analysis by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals that flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah inundated over 1.1 million hectares — nearly 20 percent of Sri Lanka — displacing or exposing roughly 2.3 million people, more than half of them women. UNDP
The comprehensive study, based on disaster-related data from the Government of Sri Lanka, paints a grim picture of the cyclone’s scale: nearly 720,000 buildings — about one in every 12 nationwide — were flooded, along with more than 16,000 km of roads, over 278 km of railway lines and some 480 bridges.
UNDP warns that over half of those in the flooded zones were already living in “multi-vulnerable” households, characterized by unstable income, high debt, and limited capacity to cope with shocks. For these communities, even a single event such as Cyclone Ditwah could inflict long-lasting setbacks on livelihoods and wellbeing.
In addition, the cyclone triggered around 1,200 landslides in the island’s hill country, isolating communities, disrupting access to essential services, and slowing emergency response efforts.
More than 1.2 million women, 522,000 children and 263,000 older persons were among those exposed — with over 60 percent concentrated in just two districts, Colombo District and Gampaha District — placing enormous pressure on essential services and accentuating the need for urgent and sustained relief.
“Cyclone Ditwah struck regions already weakened by years of economic stress,” said Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka. UNDP is calling for scaled-up early recovery support — including restoration of critical infrastructure and services, support for affected households (especially women, children, older persons), and strengthening of local systems for improved climate resilience.
As the country grapples with one of its worst flooding disasters in decades, UNDP and partner agencies are mobilising resources to help communities rebuild stronger and more resiliently, while pressing for international support to avoid pushing Sri Lanka deeper into debt.
UNDP Press Release: https://www.undp.org/asia-pacific/press-releases/one-fifth-sri-lanka-inundated-cyclone-ditwah-undp-analysis
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