Sri Lanka Declares ‘Largest’ Disaster as Cyclone Death Toll Rises to 355

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Pamodi Waravita and Mujib MashalDecember 1, 2025 at 11:33 AM

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Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread devastation in Sri Lanka, leading the president to declare it the nation's "largest and most challenging natural disaster." As of Monday, December 1, 2025, the death toll had reached 355, with 366 people still missing and over a million affected by flooding and landslides across more than half of the country's 25 districts. Rescue teams, supported by Indian personnel and aircraft, are struggling to reach isolated areas. Over 15,000 homes have been destroyed, and infrastructure including roads, bridges, and utilities has been severely damaged. The disaster compounds existing challenges for the country, including past conflicts, the 2004 tsunami, terror attacks, and economic instability.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UN 50% Anura Kumara Dissanayake ×280% Sri Lanka ×9100% Cyclone Ditwah ×4100%

Keywords

sri lanka 100% natural disaster 90% flooding 80% cyclone 70% death toll 70% rescue efforts 60% landslides 50% emergency response 50% heavy rainfall 50%