Lessons from Cyclone Ditwah

Last week we were once again reminded of the devastating human and economic cost, and the country’s deep exposure to climate-driven disasters. In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, over 150 lives have been confirmed lost. Entire communities have been displaced, a cultivation cycle disrupted, and the threat of water-borne disease looms large as floodwaters recede. It was the first major test for the current administration, and while the instinct for criticism is understandable, this moment calls for something more meaningful, a sober, constructive assessment of what worked, what failed, and what must urgently change before the next inevitable crisis strikes.

Extreme weather events are no longer rare occurrences. Global climate change has altered rainfall patterns, amplified storm intensity, and made hazards once expected “once a decade” far more frequent. Sri Lanka, situated squarely in the path of such climatic volatility, simply cannot afford complacency. The economic toll of Ditwah arrives at a moment when our country is already financially fragile. Another shock of this scale, if not met with better preparedness, could set back recovery efforts by years.

To the Government’s credit, early warnings were issued, and some evacuation procedures were activated. The rapid deployment of the armed forces and emergency personnel saved lives. Yet, even these efforts were hampered by longstanding structural weaknesses, insufficient local-level coordination, outdated infrastructure, gaps in communication, and inadequate community preparedness. Many families received warnings too late, didn’t receive it in the language they spoke or did not have the means to act on them. Relief distribution in some districts was swift, while in others, delays left vulnerable communities stranded for days. These disparities point not to a failure of effort but to systemic issues that must be addressed.

Disaster preparedness is not merely the responsibility of a central authority. It is a nationwide undertaking. But for such collective resilience to function, systems must be predictable, well-funded, and professionally managed. Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre and associated agencies require greater autonomy, better resourcing, and modern technology. Meteorological forecasting, early warning dissemination, and local-level risk mapping need significant upgrades. Investment in resilient infrastructure, flood-resistant roads, reinforced riverbanks, modern drainage systems, must become a national priority, not an afterthought following catastrophe.

The agricultural impact of Cyclone Ditwah is especially worrying. With fields submerged and crops destroyed, farmers across multiple regions face immense losses. This disruption threatens to cascade into a food security challenge in 2026. A robust response requires immediate support for affected farmers, including compensation, seeds for replanting, and access to credit. It also requires long-term thinking that includes diversifying crops, improving irrigation capacity, and adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Public health preparedness must now accelerate. Stagnant water is fertile ground for dengue and gastrointestinal diseases. The Ministry of Health must mobilise surveillance teams, strengthen sanitation efforts, and ensure medical facilities are adequately supplied. The weeks following a flood often determine whether human losses end with the storm or continue silently through preventable illnesses.

The purpose of assessing disaster response is not political point-scoring but national learning. Sri Lanka needs a culture of resilience, one in which institutions are strengthened, communities are trained, and preparedness is integrated into everyday governance. 

Cyclone Ditwah was a tragedy. If Sri Lanka chooses to confront its weaknesses honestly and invest in stronger systems, the country can weather the storms ahead with far fewer losses. Resilience is not built in the aftermath of disaster but  in the quiet months between them.