DITWA Cyclone Aftermath: Death Toll Rises to 643 as Sri Lanka Seeks WHO Aid for Damaged Hospitals
By Lions Roar News Asia Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – The devastation caused by the recent adverse weather conditions, including the effects of Cyclone Ditwa, has worsened in Sri Lanka, with the official death toll rising sharply and a humanitarian effort now underway to resettle nearly 7,000 displaced individuals. The government is also urgently seeking international assistance to restore essential health services severely damaged by the disaster.
⚠️ Disaster Death Toll Hits 643; Over a Million Affected
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed on Monday (December 14, 2025) that the number of people killed due to the island-wide adverse weather has increased to 643. The number of individuals still reported missing has risen to 184.
The sheer scale of the humanitarian impact is staggering:
- Total Affected: 1,364,481 individuals.
- Affected Families: 391,401 families.
- Displaced Persons: Approximately 7,000 people are currently residing in temporary safety centers.
Essential Services Commissioner General, Prabath Chandrakirthi, addressing a morning media briefing, confirmed that steps are being taken to expedite the return of those displaced.
“Approximately 7,000 people are currently in safety centers,” the Commissioner General stated. “We are taking measures to ensure these individuals are resettled within the next two to three months.” This timeline underscores the challenging and extensive nature of the resettlement and recovery effort facing the government.
🏥 Health Infrastructure Under Siege: Seeking WHO Support
Amidst the rising human toll, the state of the country’s health infrastructure has emerged as a critical concern, with several major hospitals suffering extensive damage from floods and landslides caused by the cyclone.
Minister of Health and Media, Nalintha Jayatissa, met with the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr. Rajesh Sambhaji Rao Pandav, to discuss urgent support for the restoration of health services.
The meeting focused on the severe damage sustained by three key facilities:
- Chilaw District General Hospital
- Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital
- Mahiyangana Base Hospital
Minister Jayatissa informed the WHO representative that these hospitals were significantly damaged by flooding and landslides, which also resulted in damage to essential medical equipment.
🤝 WHO Pledges Continued Support
Despite the significant setbacks, Minister Jayatissa praised the “immeasurable dedication” of the health staff at the damaged hospitals, noting that treatment services are being restored phase by phase.
In response to the Minister’s request for collaboration to fully restore health services, Dr. Pandav affirmed the WHO’s commitment.
“The World Health Organization will continuously provide support for all requests made by the Ministry of Health,” Dr. Pandav stated, assuring the Sri Lankan government of ongoing aid as the nation works to recover essential services in the wake of the devastating weather event.
The WHO’s pledge is a crucial lifeline as Sri Lanka begins the long process of rebuilding and recovery from what is shaping up to be one of the island nation’s most impactful weather-related disasters in recent memory.
