Top economists call for halt to Sri Lanka debt repayments after Cyclone Ditwah

Cyclone Ditwah, the worst to hit Sri Lanka in a century, has devastated the country's tea plantations, a key source of export revenue. The cyclone, which struck last week, has killed over 635 people and affected more than two million, leading President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to declare a state of emergency. Central Sri Lanka, the tea and vegetable heartland, was the hardest hit, with hundreds of deaths and widespread destruction of tea crops. The uprooted plantations and damaged infrastructure, including roads and railways, threaten the country's tea industry, which generates $1.3 billion annually and is projected to reach $1.5 billion this year. The disaster has left many tea workers without homes or livelihoods and disrupted the delivery of essential supplies.

As of December 7, 2025, Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis following Cyclone Ditwah, with the death toll from floods and landslides reaching 618. The Disaster Management Centre issued new landslide warnings due to ongoing monsoon rains destabilizing hillsides, particularly in the central and northwestern regions. Over two million people have been affected, with more than 75,000 homes damaged. The Sri Lankan Air Force is distributing relief supplies, including aid from Myanmar, to isolated communities. Across Asia, the total death toll from related disasters has exceeded 1,800, and Sri Lanka estimates recovery costs could reach $7 billion.

Sri Lanka is experiencing severe flooding in its capital and across the island nation after Cyclone Ditwah brought heavy rains and mudslides. As of Sunday, authorities reported at least 193 deaths and 228 missing, marking the country's deadliest natural disaster in years. The northern parts of Colombo are flooded due to the rising Kelani River, and the central region has suffered extensive damage. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and appealed for international aid. India has responded by sending relief supplies and helicopters, with Pakistan and Japan also pledging assistance. The National Building Research Organisation warns of further landslide risks due to saturated mountain slopes.

Indonesia is searching for at least 400 people missing after deadly floods and landslides struck Sumatra nearly a week ago, triggered by Cyclone Senyar. The disaster has killed over 440 people in Indonesia, with millions affected across Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, where over 900 deaths have been reported this month. Aid is being delivered to affected areas, but some villages remain isolated, leading to reports of looting for food and water. The worst-hit areas include Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, with Central Tapanuli and Sibolga requiring immediate attention. Elon Musk is providing free Starlink services to aid emergency communications.

Heavy rainfall is hindering Sri Lanka's recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island the previous week. As of December 5, 2025, the cyclone had killed at least 486 people, displaced 170,000, and damaged over 50,000 homes, triggering the worst floods in a decade. Ongoing heavy downpours, exceeding 130mm in 15 hours, are complicating cleanup and reconstruction, with further rain expected. President Dissanayake described the disaster as the nation's most challenging and the rescue operation as the most difficult in its history. The disaster is part of a larger regional flooding event that has impacted several countries in Asia.

Torrential rainfall across South and Southeast Asia has caused catastrophic flooding and landslides, resulting in over 1,300 deaths and affecting millions in countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is bracing for further damage as more heavy rain is expected, following Cyclone Ditwah which contributed to nearly 200 deaths there. This extreme weather is linked to a cluster of tropical cyclones. Conversely, Iran is experiencing a severe drought, forcing the shutdown of a major hydroelectric power station and water pressure reductions in Tehran. Meanwhile, the US is facing a return of winter with heavy snow and below-normal temperatures, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, causing travel disruptions due to "lake effect" snow.

Devastating floods and landslides across South and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, have killed at least 1,250 people in early December 2025. Triggered by tropical storms, including cyclones and a typhoon, the disasters have buried towns and villages under mud, displacing over 1.1 million people in Sri Lanka, which declared a state of emergency. Indonesia is the worst hit, with widespread landslides affecting numerous villages. Recovery efforts are expected to take weeks. The extreme weather has prompted questions about the causes of the simultaneous disasters across multiple countries.

Cyclone Senyar struck northwest Indonesia last week, causing widespread flooding and landslides that killed at least 800 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. The storm, which also impacted Malaysia and Thailand, brought days of heavy rain to Sumatra, with one area receiving 16 inches in a single day. The resulting floods turned piles of timber into destructive projectiles, smashing into homes in North Sumatra. Rescue workers reported widespread timber debris in affected areas. Experts attribute the storm's catastrophic impact, particularly in Indonesia, to decades of deforestation, which has converted forests into palm oil plantations, pulpwood farms, and gold mines.

Cyclone Ditwah's impact on Sri Lanka has left many children with no homes to return to, according to UNICEF Representative Emma Brigham. The cyclone caused widespread devastation across communities in Sri Lanka. UNICEF is responding to the disaster, but the extent of the damage means many families have lost everything. The floods have displaced families and created a dire situation for children, leaving them vulnerable and in need of assistance. The long-term effects of the disaster are still unfolding, but the immediate priority is providing aid and support to those affected.

As of November 29, 2025, Sri Lanka is seeking international aid following widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The storm triggered heavy rains and floods, resulting in a death toll of 132, with 176 people missing. Nearly 15,000 homes have been destroyed, displacing 44,000 people who are now in temporary shelters. Relief operations are underway, involving the army, navy, and air force, particularly in areas like Kandy where landslides have occurred. Although the cyclone is moving towards India, flooding persists, especially along the Kelani River, prompting evacuations and straining relief efforts.

Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread flooding and devastation in Sri Lanka, overwhelming the nation's emergency services. As of November 29, 2025, the death toll has surpassed 150, with many more missing and hundreds of thousands affected across the country's 25 districts. Rescue efforts are hampered by disruptions in transport and telecommunications, leaving people stranded in flooded areas, including students in hostels and families in residential buildings. Nearly 45,000 people have been forced into shelters, and rail services are suspended, with many highways blocked. The disaster compounds the challenges faced by Sri Lanka as it recovers from civil war and economic hardship.

Severe floods have affected several Asian nations, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. At least 80 people have died and dozens are still missing after severe weather hit Indonesia this week. In Sri Lanka, the death toll has reached 56 with 21 individuals still unaccounted for. The floods also affect millions across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The severity of the floods is described as some of the worst in years in the region. Millions are impacted by the disaster, with severe weather continuing to pose a significant threat to those affected.

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on Friday, November 28, 2025, bringing torrential rain and high winds that caused widespread flooding and landslides. The cyclone, which is moving northwest toward India, has resulted in a death toll of at least 69, with officials warning the number could rise. Over 200,000 people have been affected, with damaged homes, flooded fields, and infrastructure disruptions including suspended rail services, blocked highways, and power outages. The main international airport near Colombo diverted flights, government offices are closed, and school holidays have been extended. Sri Lanka's meteorological department expects the cyclone to pass by Saturday evening, but heavy rains are expected to continue after the weekend.