Cyclone Ditwah Exposes Sri Lanka’s Growing Climate Vulnerability

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in November 2025, served as a major wake-up call about the devastating human consequences of climate change, destroying lives, livelihoods and communities across the country.


The disaster also exposed the lack of effective on-the-ground measures to help communities adapt to climate change. Despite enormous losses, affected people demonstrated remarkable resilience as they struggled to rebuild their lives.

The World Bank estimated the economic losses from Cyclone Ditwah at approximately US$4.1 billion, although this does not capture the full extent of the damage. Recovery must go beyond rebuilding infrastructure to restoring people's dignity, security and livelihoods. The destruction of roads, farms and water systems demonstrates the close connection between environmental degradation, poverty and economic vulnerability.

Across densely populated South Asia, monsoons, floods, droughts and cyclones are becoming increasingly concerning amid rising temperatures, warming oceans and sea-level rise. Fishermen face declining fish stocks, ocean acidification and coastal erosion, while coral ecosystems are affected by warming waters and El Niño. Competition over diminishing fish stocks has also contributed to disputes, including between Indian and Sri Lankan fishing communities.

Rural populations, farmers, fishermen, women, children and low-income households are bearing disproportionate consequences, worsening existing inequalities and threatening food security, clean water and healthy ecosystems.

Cyclone Ditwah highlights weaknesses in Sri Lanka's infrastructure, disaster preparedness and land-use planning. Destruction of forests, wetlands and river systems, alongside poorly planned development, further increases vulnerability.

As the world prepares for COP31 in November 2026, Sri Lanka's experience must strengthen the call for climate justice. Drawing on four years as chairperson of Friends of the Earth International, the environmental activist argues that technology and political promises alone cannot solve the crisis. Addressing the economic systems and inequalities driving environmental destruction requires fundamental transformation.