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More than 2 million individuals have been impacted by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, affecting nearly 10% of the population. The death toll has climbed to 618, with 464 of those fatalities occurring in the central mountainous region, known for its tea plantations. Currently, 209 people are still reported missing.
Landslide warnings have been reissued across the island as heavy rains continue to fall in areas already hard-hit. The monsoons are increasing rainfall and destabilizing slopes, especially in the central highlands and the northwestern midlands. Helicopters and aircraft are actively delivering aid to remote communities cut off by landslides.
The Sri Lankan Air Force announced they received a shipment of relief supplies from Myanmar on Sunday, marking the latest tranche of international assistance.
The number of people staying in government-organized refugee camps has decreased from a peak of 225,000 to about 100,000, as floodwaters gradually recede. Over 75,000 homes have been damaged, with nearly 5,000 completely destroyed.
In response to the disaster, the government unveiled a major compensation plan aimed at rebuilding homes and revitalizing local businesses, which were already struggling in the wake of the country’s recent economic crisis. The recovery efforts are estimated to cost up to $7 billion.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering a request from Sri Lanka for an additional $200 million to aid in rebuilding, supplementing the $347 million installment expected later this month as part of a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout agreement made in 2023.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that while the economy has shown signs of recovery, it remains too fragile to withstand this new shock. Survivors are set to receive as much as 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (about $33,000) to purchase land in safer areas and construct new homes. Those who lost their lives or are permanently disabled will be compensated with a fixed amount of 1 million LKR.
The government has not disclosed the total cost of the aid package, raising concerns over funding given the country’s ongoing economic instability. To assist in recovery, the central bank has directed both state-owned and private lenders to reschedule existing loans.
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