New geospatial analysis from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) confirms that floodwaters from Cyclone Ditwah inundated over 1.1 million hectares—nearly one-fifth of Sri Lanka’s land area. The analysis estimates that approximately 2.3 million people were living in the flooded areas, many of whom were already facing high vulnerability before the disaster. The cyclone is being termed one of the worst flooding disasters to hit Sri Lanka in decades, causing significant damage to roads, railways, and essential services.
