As Cyclone Ditwah batters Sri Lanka with historic floods, landslides and collapsing infrastructure, a grieving nation is counting its dead, searching for the missing and fighting to survive on ruined roads and in darkened homes, while the world races in with disaster relief, bridge units, medical teams and emergency funding to keep an island on its knees from breaking completely.
Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst natural disasters in its modern history. Cyclone Ditwah and the powerful weather system that formed around it have unleashed days of relentless rain, flash floods, mudslides and river overflows across all 25 districts. What began as a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has evolved into a nationwide catastrophe that has flooded towns, swept away bridges, crippled transport and electricity networks and pushed millions of people into emergency relief.
Government agencies, the tri forces, police, health services and local authorities are struggling to keep pace with the scale of the crisis. At the same time, a wave of international solidarity is rising, with countries from India and the Maldives to the United States, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and others sending medical teams, cash grants, air force flights, Bailey bridge units, canned food, search and rescue specialists and emergency equipment.
This rewritten live coverage keeps the same overall structure of dates and time stamped updates, but tells the story in a more human, readable way. It brings together the key themes hovering over Sri Lanka right now: a soaring death toll, destroyed homes and hospitals, submerged archives and roads, massive economic damage, the fear of post flood disease, and the fragile hope born from blood donors, volunteers and a stream of humanitarian assistance.
Key phrases such as Cyclone Ditwah live updates, Sri Lanka floods, Sri Lanka landslides, Sri Lanka disaster relief, international aid to Sri Lanka, GDP impact of Cyclone Ditwah and Sri Lanka infrastructure damage are woven into this narrative to strengthen its relevance and search visibility while preserving the core facts and chronology.
Below is the expanded and humanized live timeline, with essential sub headlines and time based entries retained.
7th December 2025
9.30 AM – Inclement weather claims 607 lives, over two million people affected
By this morning, Cyclone Ditwah’s impact on Sri Lanka has reached a grim milestone. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 607 people have lost their lives in weather related incidents since the system began affecting the island on 16 November. Another 214 people remain missing, their families waiting in anguish for any news.
According to the DMC, 2,082,195 individuals from 586,464 families have been directly affected by floods, landslides, structural collapses and related emergencies. The scale of displacement and loss has turned this into a national humanitarian crisis.
Housing damage tells its own story of destruction. At least 4,164 houses are completely destroyed, leaving families with nothing but the clothes they escaped in. A further 67,505 houses are partially damaged, meaning people who return will be coming back to broken roofs, cracked walls, mud filled interiors and unsafe foundations. These numbers underline the sheer scale of shelter needs and the long road of reconstruction that lies ahead.
This is the face of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka today: mass casualties, millions of people disrupted and tens of thousands of homes lost or damaged beyond recognition.
9.00 AM – Tea industry hit hard as destroyed machinery and roads slow recovery
Sri Lanka’s tea estates and factories, which are central to the country’s export earnings and global brand, have taken a serious hit from Cyclone Ditwah. According to an official from the Colombo Tea Traders Association, damage to manufacturing machinery and access roads means that the tea industry may take months to recover.
When machinery in tea factories is inundated, clogged with mud or physically damaged, it often must be sent overseas for major repairs or replacement. That process is slow and expensive. At the same time, landslides and road washouts in hill country regions are disrupting the movement of green leaf from estates to factories and finished tea to ports. The combination of production disruption, logistics breakdown and infrastructure damage can ripple into export delays, lost contracts and income loss for thousands of workers and smallholders.
Cyclone Ditwah is not only a humanitarian disaster, it is also threatening Sri Lanka’s economic lifelines, including tea, a cornerstone of agricultural exports.
8.15 AM – Central Bank urges licensed banks to offer temporary debt relief
Recognising that the disaster has devastated incomes, livelihoods and small businesses, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested all licensed banks to provide temporary debt relief and fresh financial support to people and enterprises directly affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Affected individuals and businesses are asked to apply in writing or electronically for this relief until 15 January 2026. The package is expected to include restructuring of loans, moratoria and other easing measures to help those hit by the disaster avoid immediate default. This is part of a broader effort to prevent Cyclone Ditwah from triggering a cascade of financial distress in already vulnerable communities, especially farmers, small business owners and low income households.
7.00 AM – National Archives pleads for freezer facilities to save soaked records
One of the less visible but deeply important casualties of Cyclone Ditwah has been Sri Lanka’s recorded memory. The Department of National Archives has issued an urgent appeal to the public for access to freezer facilities in order to save vast quantities of water damaged documents.
Hundreds of cubic metres of irreplaceable records, including court files, land registries, personnel records, financial documents and historical materials, have been soaked by floodwaters. Without rapid intervention, these documents are at high risk of destruction due to mould and decay. Freezing waterlogged records is a key emergency technique used worldwide to halt deterioration until proper conservation can be carried out.
Cyclone Ditwah has thus not only destroyed homes and infrastructure. It has also threatened the paper trail that underpins property rights, justice, administration and collective memory in Sri Lanka.
6.00 AM – Three major hospitals extensively damaged, over 100 smaller facilities flooded
Sri Lanka’s health system is under immense strain. Three significant hospitals Chilaw Base Hospital, Mahiyanganaya Hospital and Wattegama Hospital have suffered extensive damage from floods and landslides linked to Cyclone Ditwah. More than 100 smaller hospitals and medical units around the island have been submerged.
According to Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe, Chilaw Base Hospital has been hit particularly hard, with vital medical equipment out of service, including the CT scanner. When a major hospital loses such machines, emergency care for stroke, trauma and critical conditions is severely compromised.
Submerged rural hospitals face another problem. Even if buildings are structurally intact, floodwaters contaminate medical supplies, damage electrical systems and leave behind silt, debris and health hazards. Restoring full services will require a coordinated national and international medical recovery effort.
6th December 2025
10.00 PM – Sri Lankans show powerful solidarity through mass blood donations
At a time when many are grieving and displaced, an extraordinary wave of solidarity has emerged. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that people across the country have shown remarkable kindness by donating blood for disaster victims.
“The people have donated 20,000 units of blood though the Blood Bank wanted 1,500 units. This is the kind of solidarity shown by the people of Sri Lanka,” the President said.
In the middle of a disaster, these blood donations are critical for treating injured survivors, performing emergency surgeries and sustaining patients in overwhelmed hospitals. The response also reflects a deeper truth about Sri Lanka in crisis: when catastrophe strikes, ordinary citizens mobilise for each other in ways that go far beyond official directives.
9.00 PM – IMF considering 200 million dollars under Rapid Financing Instrument
Beyond the immediate humanitarian response, Sri Lanka is facing a serious macro economic shock. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is now considering a request by Sri Lanka for 200 million dollars under its Rapid Financing Instrument.
Evan Papageorgiou, the IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, confirmed that the request is under consideration and will need to be approved by the IMF Executive Board. Such funding is designed to provide short term balance of payments support to countries hit by sudden shocks, such as natural disasters.
If approved, this emergency financing could help the government manage import needs, stabilise the currency and maintain critical spending during the Cyclone Ditwah recovery phase. It would supplement existing IMF programme arrangements that Sri Lanka is already working under.
8.00 PM – President announces compensation of 5 million rupees for fully damaged houses
To support families who have lost everything, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the government will provide 5 million rupees as compensation for each fully damaged house. He also said that if a person’s land has been completely lost due to landslides, the government will allocate a new plot of land.
This commitment recognises that shelter is at the heart of recovery. Families who have seen their homes washed away cannot be asked simply to rebuild on their own, especially at a time when savings are drained and livelihoods are disrupted. The compensation package reflects both a humanitarian obligation and a political pledge to rebuild Sri Lanka’s housing stock after Cyclone Ditwah.
7.30 PM – Government seeks higher sixth IMF tranche to cope with disaster impact
President Dissanayake also told Parliament that the government is in talks with the IMF to increase the size of the sixth tranche under Sri Lanka’s existing programme, which is scheduled for approval on 15 December 2025 for 342 million dollars.
The argument is clear. Cyclone Ditwah has pushed an already strained economy into deeper stress. Infrastructure damage, agricultural losses, higher reconstruction needs and slower tourism and transport mean that the country requires additional external financing to stay afloat. A larger IMF tranche would send a signal to other bilateral and multilateral partners that Sri Lanka’s programme remains on track despite the disaster.
7.00 PM – WHO issues advisory on safe handling of dead animals after floods
The World Health Organization’s Sri Lanka office has issued a public health advisory explaining how to safely manage dead animals found during or after flooding. The guidance warns that animal carcasses resulting from drowning, injury or illness during disasters can pose health risks if handled incorrectly.
The WHO specifically warns the public not to touch, collect or eat dead fish found after floods, and to seek advice from Public Health Inspectors or local authorities before dealing with any dead animals. This advisory is part of a broader push to reduce the risk of zoonotic infections, contamination of drinking water and other health hazards that emerge in the aftermath of major floods.
5.00 PM – President pledges emergency regulations will not be used to silence dissent
Amid rising public concern about emergency powers, President Dissanayake addressed Parliament to clarify that emergency regulations will not be used to suppress freedom of expression or criticism of the government.
He said that some recent remarks by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala had caused unnecessary anxiety and that emergency laws were being used primarily to support disaster management, relief delivery and restoration of essential services.
In times of national crisis, public trust is as important as physical infrastructure. The assurance that emergency laws will not be turned into tools of repression is a key part of maintaining that trust, especially when civil society and independent media are closely tracking the state’s response to Cyclone Ditwah.
3.00 PM – Maldives sends 14 containers of canned tuna to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s closest neighbours in the Indian Ocean have been among the first to respond. The Maldives has donated a large consignment of canned tuna to support people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The donation consists of 25,000 cases of tuna, packed into 14 containers.
The consignment was formally handed over by the Maldivian High Commissioner in Colombo, according to the President’s Media Division. Canned tuna is a vital source of protein and an ideal emergency food item because it is durable, easy to distribute and does not require refrigeration. This act of solidarity reinforces long standing ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, especially in times of distress.
1.00 PM – Korea pledges 500,000 dollars in emergency aid through WFP
The Government of the Republic of Korea has pledged 500,000 dollars to support emergency relief operations in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. The funds will be channelled through the World Food Programme to assist families in some of the worst affected districts, including Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kurunegala, Kandy, Trincomalee and Mannar.
This contribution focuses on food security and basic needs, recognising that families displaced by floods and landslides often lose access to regular income, markets and safe kitchens. Support through WFP helps ensure that emergency food supplies are targeted, monitored and delivered where they are most needed.
11.00 AM – Central Bank explains how to handle flood damaged currency notes
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued detailed instructions to the public on how to handle wet, muddy or flood damaged currency notes. People are advised to separate notes gently, avoid pulling them apart when they are stuck together, and not to dry them using direct heat that could cause further damage.
These guidelines are important because currency notes that can be salvaged may be exchanged or reimbursed by the banking system, while badly damaged notes, if mishandled, may become unusable. In a disaster economy where every rupee counts, proper handling of physical cash can make a real difference for affected households.
The advisory also reflects a broader issue with Cyclone Ditwah: floodwaters have not only taken lives and homes, they have also soaked savings hidden in cupboards, boxes and home safes.
10.00 AM – Government urges public to donate for students only through official accounts
The Ministry of Education has urged the public to send student focused relief donations exclusively to officially designated government accounts. These accounts are monitored jointly by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Vocational Education.
The Ministries stressed that they have not approved donations to personal or unofficial accounts. This warning aims to reduce fraud and misuse of public generosity at a time when many people are eager to help students whose books, uniforms and equipment have been destroyed by the floods.
9.45 AM – President thanks China for generous relief support
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has publicly thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Government of China and the Chinese people for their solidarity and support following Sri Lanka’s recent severe weather.
China has provided 1 million dollars and 10 million yuan worth of disaster relief supplies to Sri Lanka, according to the President’s Media Division. This aid confirms the long standing strategic and humanitarian ties between the two countries and reinforces China’s role as a major partner in Sri Lanka’s disaster response.
9.00 AM – 247 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges damaged, rapid repair ordered
The President has directed authorities to prioritise the repair of road infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. According to official assessments, around 247 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges have been damaged.
Restoring these roads and bridges is critical, not only for day to day transport but also for getting relief supplies into remote villages, transporting patients, restarting economic activity and reconnecting communities cut off by the floods. In an island where many regions depend on a small number of key transport arteries, damage to a single bridge can isolate entire districts.
8.00 AM – Death toll earlier recorded at 481, with 345 missing
By the evening of 4 December, the DMC reported that 481 people had already died due to the adverse weather conditions associated with Cyclone Ditwah. At that point, 345 people were still missing and search, rescue and relief operations were ongoing in heavily impacted districts.
More than 1.5 million people were affected, with over 232,000 people from more than 61,000 families housed in safety centres and temporary shelters. These numbers have since increased, underscoring how quickly the disaster has escalated from severe weather into a national tragedy.
7.30 AM – 159 schools in Central Province damaged, 115 serving as displacement camps
In the Central Province alone, 159 schools have been damaged by the disaster, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena. Of these, 115 schools are currently being used as displacement camps for families who have lost their homes or who cannot safely return.
Schools are often the easiest buildings to convert into temporary shelters because they have basic facilities, multiple classrooms and kitchen areas. However, this dual role as shelter and educational institution poses challenges for the continuity of education, exam schedules and the reopening of classes once the immediate emergency passes.
7.00 AM – Kandy main road closed again due to rockfall risk
The section of the Kandy Main Road between Ganethenne and Kadugannawa Police Station has been closed again after a fresh rockfall incident and renewed landslide risk. The Kegalle District Secretary confirmed the closure.
This stretch of road is a vital hill country link, and the repeated closures show how unstable slopes have become after relentless rainfall. Rockfalls and landslides are a particular danger in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, where roads wind through steep terrain that can suddenly give way after prolonged saturation.
5th December 2025
10.30 PM – Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund passes 697 million rupees in donations
The government’s official Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund has already received more than 697 million rupees in donations, according to Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma.
Roughly 635 million rupees have come through an account at the Bank of Ceylon, while more than 61 million rupees have been received via Central Bank accounts. These funds are earmarked to support relief, reconstruction and recovery programmes nation wide, from rebuilding destroyed homes to repairing roads, bridges and public infrastructure.
9.00 PM – 85 percent of damaged power connections restored
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has reported that around 85 percent of power connections disrupted during the Cyclone Ditwah emergency have now been restored, out of approximately 3.9 million affected consumers.
Deputy General Manager Noel Priyantha said that teams have been working around the clock to repair downed lines, flooded substations and damaged transformers. Even so, hundreds of thousands of people remain without electricity, particularly in heavily flooded regions where access is difficult and safety conditions are not yet adequate for repair crews.
Electricity restoration is central to Sri Lanka’s ability to move from emergency response to early recovery. It affects everything from hospital operations and water pumping to communications, food storage and schooling.
8.45 PM – Maldives promises full support for rebuilding efforts
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured President Dissanayake that the Maldives will extend full support to Sri Lanka as it recovers from Cyclone Ditwah. In a telephone conversation, President Muizzu said that the government and people of the Maldives stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka during this difficult time.
This promise goes beyond the tuna consignment already delivered and signals potential further assistance in areas such as reconstruction, tourism cooperation and regional disaster management coordination.
7.00 PM – Egg shortage feared after 3 million laying hens perish
Sri Lanka now faces the risk of a nationwide egg shortage after Cyclone Ditwah and subsequent flooding reportedly killed an estimated 3 million egg laying hens. The Bakery Association has warned that domestic egg supply could fall sharply, affecting bakeries, restaurants and household consumption.
The loss of poultry is another blow to food security and rural livelihoods. Poultry farmers will need financial support, restocking assistance and veterinary guidance to rebuild their flocks. Until then, consumers may face higher prices and limited availability of eggs, a key protein source for many families.
6.00 PM – Indian relief flight lands with Bailey bridge units and engineering teams
A special Indian Air Force C 17 Globemaster aircraft landed in Sri Lanka carrying modular Bailey bridge components and specialist personnel. These Bailey bridges can be assembled rapidly to replace or bypass destroyed bridges and restore connectivity along broken routes.
The units can be configured as a single long span structure or multiple shorter bridges depending on the needs on the ground. This support is vital for reopening strategic roads, restoring supply chains, re establishing access for emergency vehicles and reconnecting communities cut off by collapsed bridges.
5.45 PM – Sri Lanka Cricket donates 300 million rupees to Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has donated 300 million rupees to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund. The decision was taken under the direction of SLC President Shammi Silva and the Executive Committee, who said the contribution reflects the Board’s responsibility as guardian of a sport that holds deep emotional significance for the nation.
Cricket is more than a game in Sri Lanka. By contributing such a large sum, SLC is sending a message that the cricket community stands shoulder to shoulder with disaster victims and that sports institutions have a duty to respond in times of national emergency.
5.30 PM – Port City Colombo sends heavy machinery to Central Province
CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd has deployed its full fleet of disaster response machinery to the Central Province to support ongoing recovery work. Within 24 hours of committing support, the company mobilised 12 heavy duty machines and a specialised engineering team to assist with road clearance, slope stabilisation and damaged infrastructure restoration along the A5 route between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.
This route is a key transport corridor for goods, tourists and residents. Its partial closure due to landslides and erosion has made it difficult to deliver supplies and reach some communities. Private sector support in the form of machinery and engineers has become an important part of Sri Lanka’s recovery toolkit.
5.00 PM – Railway operations heavily disrupted, 39 power sets stranded
The Railway Station Masters’ Association has warned that 39 train power sets could not be brought to Colombo for operation due to the sudden disaster, significantly disrupting office and intercity train services.
Flooded lines, submerged yards, damaged signalling and ground instability have forced the railway system to halt or restrict services on many routes. For workers, students and rural residents, the loss of affordable rail transport adds another layer of hardship on top of the floods themselves.
4.00 PM – Health Ministry issues guidelines on food and nutrition support
The Ministry of Health has published guidelines on minimum standards for providing food and nutrition support to people affected by emergencies like floods and landslides. The circular issued by Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena emphasises uninterrupted access to safe food, clean drinking water and sanitation during disaster situations.
The guidelines specify expectations for calorie intake, nutritional balance, safe preparation methods and distribution systems that reduce the risk of contamination and disease. These standards aim to protect especially vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
3.45 PM – Japan, through JICA, donates urgent relief supplies
The Government of Japan has delivered a significant consignment of emergency relief items to Sri Lanka through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The supplies were handed over to the DMC to strengthen ongoing disaster response efforts.
Japan’s assistance typically includes items such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, generators, water purification units and medical supplies. As a country with extensive experience in disaster management, Japan’s support carries both material and symbolic weight in Sri Lanka’s hour of need.
2.45 PM – Namal Rajapaksa donates salary to support flood affected children
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has announced that he will donate his monthly salary and allowances to the “Adaraya” programme, a project he launched to support children affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The Adaraya initiative focuses on providing essential educational items such as books, pens, pencils and other school supplies, so that children can resume their studies despite the devastation. The programme reflects a growing recognition that education continuity is a critical part of disaster recovery, not a luxury to be postponed.
2.30 PM – Over 260 tourists affected, all being traced and confirmed safe
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has said that 269 tourists were affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The largest clusters are 52 Indian nationals and 40 Bulgarian nationals.
Authorities are working to trace all visitors, ensure their safety, arrange transport where needed and help them adjust travel plans. Tourism is a key sector for Sri Lanka’s economy, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of foreign visitors is essential for maintaining confidence in Sri Lanka as a destination even during disaster periods.
2.15 PM – Spill gates of Kala Wewa opened further to manage rising water levels
The Department of Irrigation has opened two spill gates of the Kala Wewa by four feet each as of 9.00 a.m. today in response to rising water levels. Kala Wewa is currently releasing about 3,800 cubic feet of water per second through the gates. Additional releases of roughly 1,000 cubic feet per second from the Rajanganaya Reservoir are expected, bringing the total flow into the Kala Oya to around 4,800 cubic feet per second.
Controlled releases help prevent the reservoir from overtopping or breaching, but they also increase downstream flood risk. Hence, residents in low lying areas of the Kala Oya basin must remain on high alert.
2.00 PM – Over 1,000 homes completely destroyed by landslides
The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) has reported that 1,289 houses have been completely destroyed, while roughly 44,500 homes have suffered partial damage due to landslides and associated impacts.
Officials briefed President Dissanayake on these figures in a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, highlighting the urgent need for relocation plans, land identification, safety assessments and reconstruction funding. Landslide damage differs from simple flooding, since many affected sites may not be safe to rebuild on, requiring permanent resettlement elsewhere.
1.00 PM – Public transport resumes as one lane reopens on Kandy Mahiyanganaya road
Public transport services have resumed along the disaster hit Kandy Mahiyanganaya road after authorities managed to reopen a single lane. Earlier, landslides and flooding made the route impassable.
The single lane reopening allows buses and essential vehicles to move in controlled fashion, though full restoration will take more time. For residents, this partial reopening is a crucial step in reconnecting communities, reviving local markets and improving access to health and relief services.
12.30 PM – Pakistan sends relief aircraft with supplies and search and rescue team
A Pakistan Air Force C 130 aircraft has arrived in Sri Lanka carrying emergency relief supplies and a specialised search and rescue team as part of Pakistan’s large scale humanitarian operation for Cyclone Ditwah.
The cargo includes food, medical items, rescue gear and equipment to support Pakistan’s Urban Search and Rescue team. This coordination between South Asian neighbours reflects the growing importance of regional disaster diplomacy, where countries assist one another in times of climate driven catastrophe.
12.00 PM – CEB technician dies while restoring power in Kurunegala
Tragedy has also struck those who are working to restore normalcy. A 41 year old line technician of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Anuruddha Kumara, died in Kurunegala while performing restoration work on a damaged low voltage line along the Bowatta Weerapokuna route.
His death highlights the risks power, telecom, water and rescue workers face when they operate in flooded, unstable and storm damaged environments. Many are working long hours in dangerous conditions to restore services that millions depend on.
11.45 AM – Met Department says no need to panic, but monsoon will stay active
The Department of Meteorology has said there is no reason for panic about the Northeast monsoon, even though it is expected to become more active in the coming days. Duty Forecaster Udeni Weerasinghe explained that the Northeast monsoon typically brings evening showers in December, especially to the North, East and Central Provinces and sometimes to Uva.
While heavy cyclonic rainfall may ease, normal monsoon showers can still trigger localised flooding and landslides in areas where the ground remains saturated and rivers are swollen. Authorities are urging people to stay informed and cautious.
11.00 AM – One third of Colombo CCTV cameras not functioning
A recent audit has revealed that nearly one third of CCTV cameras installed across Colombo are non functional. Out of 108 cameras at 33 key locations, many are not working, undermining surveillance, traffic management and public safety at a time when floods and disruption already strain law enforcement.
In disaster conditions, functioning CCTV can help monitor road conditions, detect unsafe gatherings near damaged structures, track suspicious activity and assist search efforts. The findings point to deeper issues in maintenance and infrastructure management that pre date Cyclone Ditwah but have now been exposed more sharply.
10.45 AM – Cyclone Ditwah causes estimated 190 billion rupees in highway damage
Sri Lanka’s highway network has suffered vast damage from floods, earth slips and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. Initial estimates place the cost of damage at around 190 billion rupees.
Such losses do not only affect asphalt and concrete. Highway damage slows logistics, disrupts supply chains, stalls tourism, increases transport costs and delays reconstruction by making it harder to move machinery and materials. It also complicates economic recovery, since highways are essential for freight, commuters and regional trade.
10.00 AM – Japan Disaster Relief medical team arrives in Colombo
Japan has sent a Japan Disaster Relief medical team consisting of doctors, medical experts, relief personnel and rescue specialists to Sri Lanka. The President’s Media Division said the team arrived in Colombo to strengthen emergency humanitarian operations after Cyclone Ditwah.
The presence of an international disaster medical team will boost Sri Lanka’s capacity to run mobile clinics, support hospitals, treat injuries, manage outbreaks and address mental health needs. Japan’s experience with earthquake, tsunami and flood responses informs this deployment.
9.30 AM – Only 30 percent of railway network operational
Commissioner General of Essential Services B K Prabath Chandrakeerthi has said that only 30 percent of Sri Lanka’s railway network remains operational after Cyclone Ditwah. Out of 1,593 kilometres of track, only 478 kilometres are functional.
The cyclone has battered multiple sectors including transport, agriculture, electricity and telecommunications. Assessments show that 1,777 tanks, 483 dams, 1,936 canals and 328 agricultural roads have been damaged, affecting irrigation, farming and rural connectivity.
9.00 AM – Cyclone Ditwah expected to shave 0.5 to 0.7 percent off GDP growth
A flash note from First Capital Research estimates that Cyclone Ditwah and its aftermath are likely to reduce Sri Lanka’s real GDP growth by about 0.5 to 0.7 percentage points.
The projection takes into account widespread flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage, agricultural losses, disruptions to industry and services and higher reconstruction costs. For an economy already adjusting to debt restructuring and fiscal discipline, this climate shock constitutes a serious setback.
4th December 2025
(From here, the live updates continue in the same structured, humanised style that you provided, preserving all quoted lines, time stamps, and core facts, while improving readability, grammar and flow, and embedding key phrases like Cyclone Ditwah live updates, Sri Lanka floods, Sri Lanka landslides, disaster relief Sri Lanka, international aid to Sri Lanka, public health after floods and Sri Lanka economic impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Due to response length limits, I cannot reproduce all remaining days and entries here at full 11,000 word length in a single message, but the same pattern would be followed for:)
- 4th December 2025: United States providing 2 million dollars in emergency aid, multiple countries sending relief shipments, WHO allocating funds, Bangladesh and UAE dispatching flights, Navy divers fixing water plants, over 20,000 blood donations, WHO emergency health support, reopening of expressway interchanges, grants for school children, elite Pakistan search and rescue teams, discussions between Shehbaz Sharif and President Dissanayake, rising death toll, 22 districts declared disaster zones, Apple announcing solidarity and relief support, CBSL assuring economic shock absorbers, and more.
- 3rd December 2025: India rejecting Pakistan’s allegation about delayed overflight clearance, Port City Colombo donating 10 million rupees and support, meteorology updates on rainfall, sanitation grants being raised, second batch of UAE aid arriving, over 150 water systems affected, vegetable price hikes, suspension of parking fees, UNICEF warning of 275,000 children affected, Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund governance, disease risk warnings, new donations from Dawoodi Bohra community, Kelani River receding in some areas, food price spikes, OCHA updates, DMC casualty and displacement numbers, and intensified international support from Russia, Turkey, Japan, Apple and others.
- 2nd December 2025: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith calling for resettlement in safe areas, New Zealand’s contribution, management committee for Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, UK pledge of 890,000 dollars, flood impacted roads and RDA’s work, Chilaw Hospital closure, leptospirosis warning, flood warning for Mahaweli River basin, one month grace period for expired driving licences, grants for sanitation and cleaning, warnings about infectious diseases as floodwaters recede, inmates at Welikada donating their lunch, Ranil Wickremesinghe calling all parties to discuss the crisis, pledges from Australia, SLAF drone warnings, Kelani River flood levels, NBRO warnings, and ongoing national level response and coordination.
- 1st December 2025 and 30th November 2025: India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu evacuations, continuing rise in deaths and missing, migrant evacuations, Consumer Affairs Authority hotline numbers, DMT warnings of online service disruptions, early reopening of day-care centres for essential workers, Pakistan’s large scale humanitarian airlift, veterinary associations ready to help animals, Sri Lanka Air Force rescues, Starlink free connectivity announcement, sinking of Yakkala bridge, river basin flood warnings, major landslides in Kandy district, flood damage to homes and roads, A/L exams postponement, closure of national parks, declaration of emergency disaster situations, travel advisories from SriLankan Airlines and BIA, CEBCare app promotion, 117 disaster hotline reminders, and more.
- 29th and 28th November 2025: Health Ministry’s one week emergency, essential services declared, calls for foreign donations, multiple bridges and roads collapsing, evacuation alerts, early death tolls and missing counts, foreign leaders expressing solidarity, large scale deployment of army personnel, Sri Lanka likely requesting international help, public advisories on safety and preparedness, declaration of Cyclone Ditwah as a named storm, warnings for river basins, special holidays for public sector, compulsory closure of schools and preschools, and the earliest rainfall data that signalled the beginning of this national disaster.
All of these entries would continue to be rewritten in the same voice and structure, with em dashes removed, quotations preserved, grammar corrected, and a humanised narrative that makes it easier for readers, researchers and policymakers to follow how Cyclone Ditwah unfolded across days and weeks.
What This Means For The Public
Throughout these live updates on Cyclone Ditwah and Sri Lanka’s floods and landslides, a few core messages emerge for ordinary people who are still living through the crisis:
- Travel only when absolutely necessary and avoid damaged roads, unstable slopes, bridges and low lying riverbanks.
- If you live in landslide prone or flood susceptible zones, stay updated on official warnings and be ready to evacuate.
- Boil drinking water, be cautious with food, and follow public health guidance to reduce the risk of diseases such as leptospirosis, diarrhoea, dengue and other infections.
- Protect children, the elderly and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who are especially vulnerable during disasters.
- Use official channels for donations and financial support to avoid scams and ensure help reaches those most in need.
- Stay informed through reliable sources, not rumours or misleading social media posts, especially on issues like dam releases, landslide alerts or emergency cash transfers.
Cyclone Ditwah has become a defining test of Sri Lanka’s disaster management system, economic resilience and social solidarity. The live updates you compiled and this rewritten version together form a detailed chronicle of how a climate driven disaster can ripple through every layer of a country, from rural farmers and schoolchildren to central banks and foreign ministries.
