Sri Lanka’s Farmers Struggle to Rebuild After Cyclone Ditwah

Post by : Saif Nasser

Sri Lanka’s agricultural heartland is facing a severe crisis after Cyclone Ditwah swept across the island, leaving thousands of farmers struggling to recover. The powerful storm destroyed crops, damaged irrigation systems, and pushed many rural families deeper into debt at a time when they were hoping for a good harvest.

In villages across central Sri Lanka, rice fields that had just begun to turn green are now buried under thick layers of mud and sand. For farmers like 55-year-old Kalanchi Dewage Risman, the damage feels overwhelming. His two-acre paddy field was nearly ready for healthy growth when the cyclone struck. Now, he must clear the land, level it again, and replant from the beginning.

Replanting will not be easy. It is already mid-December, and rice planted this late often produces poor yields. On top of that, Risman must borrow more money for machinery, seeds, and fertiliser, even as he struggles to repay loans taken earlier in the season.

Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka in November, tearing through key farming areas that grow rice, vegetables, and maize. The storm killed at least 643 people and forced more than 70,000 residents into relief centres. Nearly 1.8 million farming families across the country were affected.

According to government estimates, floods damaged crops on more than 535,000 hectares of land. Over 120,000 hectares were completely destroyed or covered in mud and sand. Other field crops, including vegetables and maize, also suffered heavy losses, increasing fears about food availability in the coming months.

The damage to irrigation systems has made recovery even harder. Heavy rains broke hundreds of dams and nearly 2,000 canals that supply water to farmlands. Without quick repairs, farmers cannot properly replant or protect their crops from further damage.

In some areas, farmers are working together, sharing labour and tools to clear fields and fix canals. But many say their resources are limited, and without strong government help, recovery will take months.

The cyclone also left many families without homes. Niluka Yaparatne, 48, lost her house after a landslide killed several neighbours. She and her family escaped during the night and are now staying with relatives. Finding a rental home near her children’s school has been difficult, as rent prices have increased. Her family is also burdened by a large loan taken to build the house.

Her husband’s paddy field was also destroyed, cutting off their main source of income. Authorities have declared the area unsafe due to landslide risks, preventing families from returning.

Experts warn that food prices could rise sharply. Food inflation, which stood at about 3% in November, could double in the short term. With rice and vegetable supplies damaged, Sri Lanka may face shortages unless recovery is swift. Economists say farmers need financial support not only for lost crops but also for rebuilding land and buying fertiliser.

The government has promised compensation of 150,000 rupees for farmers whose fields were fully destroyed. Officials say more than 15 billion rupees will begin to be distributed this week. Farmers are being encouraged to replant before the end of December, and authorities believe much of the rice crop can still be saved.

Still, many farmers remain worried. For Risman, the cost of restarting farming is higher than the compensation offered. He hopes at least to prepare his land in time for the next planting season in May.

Cyclone Ditwah has exposed how vulnerable Sri Lanka’s farmers are to extreme weather. Without long-term planning, better support systems, and stronger disaster preparation, rural communities will continue to suffer each time a major storm hits.