Cyclone Ditwah has caused extensive damage to Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, with over 106,000 hectares of paddy — about 20 percent of the Maha season sowings — either partially or completely destroyed, according to the FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS).
The cyclone also impacted key cash crops including maize, vegetables, big onions, and green gram, while losses in the fisheries sector alone are valued between LKR 20.5 and 21.5 billion (USD 66.4-69.7 million).
More than 227,000 smallholder farmers, mainly rice producers, were affected, suffering significant disruptions to their livelihoods. The livestock sector saw the loss of around 475,000 birds and nearly 50,000 cattle, buffaloes, goats, and swine.
Damage to fishing equipment, boats, shrimp farms, and related infrastructure is expected to further affect food security and income in rural areas.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on November 27, 2025, and remained over Sri Lanka for nearly three days, bringing heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides. As of December 16, over 2.2 million people were reported affected, with widespread destruction to housing, transport, and irrigation systems.
Despite the cyclone, Sri Lanka’s 2025 cereal production is estimated at 5.4 million tonnes, 10 percent above the five-year average, due to favourable conditions earlier in the year, the FAO said.
However, cereal import needs remain high, forecast at 1.6 million tonnes, driven by population growth and recovery in the tourism sector. (Newswire)
