thiviyatheva
Dates: 1–8 December 2025
Cyclone Ditwah has caused major floods in the Mannar District of northern Sri Lanka. The heavy rain began in late November 2025. It stayed very heavy from 1 to 8 December 2025.
Rain fell for many days. Rivers rose fast. Water poured out of tanks and pools. As a result, floodwater covered large areas for many days. Due to this, the floods stopped daily life and basic services for many people.
This report shows what happened during this time. It lists the damage and what help people need now. The facts come from official reports and visits by OPEnE staff.
The Floods
By early December, the storm had already lasted twelve days. As the days passed, floods spread across most of Mannar. In many spots, people found the water too deep to stay safe.
The Aruvi Aaru river rose 2.5 metres above the alert line. At the same time, the Giant’s Tank spilled over. This caused more floods nearby.
The area saw 200.7 mm of rain in just one day. As the rain continued, the floodwater stayed for a long time. As a result, official data shows that floods affected 77,451 people from 23,641 families. Mannar is now the hardest-hit spot in the North and East.
Communities repairing a tank bund with the support of OPEnE and MAG.
Impact on Families
The floods forced many people to leave their homes. In particular, floods hit villages by the coast the hardest.
Officials moved 2,822 people (948 families) into seven safe centres. Also, more than 4,000 people (over 1,250 families) stayed with relatives because their own homes were not safe. During this time, rescue teams worked hard and saved people trapped by the water.
Many people need extra help. This includes:
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131 pregnant women
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291 babies
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392 elderly people
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156 people with disabilities
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28 people who cannot leave their beds
Sadly, three people died. No one is missing. As a result, dirty and still water now raises the risk of illness.
Damage to Homes and Services
During the floods, rising water broke 22 homes and partly damaged 822 more. Many families now have no safe place to sleep.
More than 12 roads and bridges were damaged. This made travel hard and slowed down the delivery of food and aid. Many towns had no power or clean water.
At the same time, floods also hit public buildings. As a result, floods damaged at least 25 schools. Because of this, schools stayed closed for longer. Children missed weeks of class.
In addition, floods damaged 110 water tanks used for farms. Some tanks broke or leaked. This made the floods worse and will make it hard to grow food later.
lost their way to earn money
As a result, floods caused huge losses for people who farm or fish.
In farming:
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35,015 acres of rice (paddy) were lost.
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14,312 acres of other food crops were lost.
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528 acres of mixed crops were lost.
Many animals died:
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10,153 cows
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7,528 goats
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36,761 chickens
Meanwhile, floods badly hit fishing communities as well. In Manthai West, 668 fishers lost their way to earn money. As a result, fishers lost their boats and tools. This includes 7,150 nets, 34 boats, 13,500 poles, and 19 engines. The floods also hit 25 seaweed farms and 21 sea cucumber farms. In total, over 9,115 families lost their income avenues.
Current Help and What is Needed
The government is giving out hot meals and basic healthcare. Aid groups are sharing food and medicine.
However, serious problems still remain. Meanwhile, more rain slows down recovery work. As a result, broken roads make it hard for aid teams to reach some villages. Many families still need food, clean water, and soap. In addition, still water brings more mosquitoes and raises the risk of dengue.
Urgent Needs:
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Fix water pipes, roads, bridges, and clinics.
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Clean the thick mud out of houses so families can go home.
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Fix farms, boats, and tanks so people can work again.
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Give mental health support to those who are stressed and afraid.
Data Sources
This update uses facts from:
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Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Sri Lanka.
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Situation Report dated 8 December 2025 (6:00 PM).
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Divisional Secretariat Office, Uyilankulam.
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OPEnE staff field data.
