Cyclone Ditwah destroyed crops and infrastructure in Sri Lanka, threatening food security and livelihoods.

Cyclone Ditwah has severely damaged rice paddies, crops, boats, and fishing infrastructure across Sri Lanka, disrupting food production at a critical time. Smallholder farmers and fishers, vital to the nation’s food security, face significant losses, particularly in Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, and Puttalam. Up to 108,000 hectares of rice fields were destroyed, threatening the 2025 harvest. The FAO is working with the government to deliver rapid support, including seeds, fertilizers, and equipment replacement, to help nearly 5,000 affected families recover before the next growing season.