This issue brief documents and analyzes the range of impacts caused by Cyclone Ditwah, situating the event within the broader context of climate change induced extreme weather events. Scientific evidence shows that rising sea surface temperatures and shifting weather patterns intensify cyclones and extreme rainfall in the region. Cyclone Ditwah reflects this trend, underscoring how climate change is no longer a future risk but a present reality for communities in Sri Lanka.
Beyond visible infrastructure and economic damage, Cyclone Ditwah resulted in significant socio-environmental Loss and Damage (L&D) that remain largely unrecognized in formal recovery and compensation mechanisms. These include loss of life, psychological trauma, disruption of education, erosion of cultural practices, and damage to ecosystems such as forests, agricultural land, and biodiversity. By incorporating community testimonies, GIS map information and documentation findings, this brief centers lived experiences and highlights both vulnerability and resilience, including the role of community leaders and local heroes in emergency response and recovery.
