Ruined rice fields and broken rail lines: Sri Lanka counts cost of cyclone

Friday, December 5, 2025 -Sri Lanka is reeling from catastrophic damage as Cyclone Ditwah leaves a trail of destruction across the country, with both vital rail infrastructure and staple crop production devastated. 

Only about 478 kilometres — roughly 30% — of the nation’s 1,593 km rail network remains operational. At the same time, roughly 137,265 acres of farmland have been destroyed, alongside the ruin of irrigation channels, dams, and canals that support the country’s paddy production.

The agricultural sector — especially rice cultivation — has taken a massive hit. Nearly 564,000 hectares were sown when the cyclone struck, meaning a large proportion of the main “Maha” rice crop is now lost or under water. The destruction of irrigation infrastructure and farmland, along with submerged fields, has pushed large parts of the population into food insecurity.

The damage to transport and agriculture is more than just a national tragedy — it poses an urgent threat to food supply, livelihoods, and the overall economy. With rail lines down, supply chains are disrupted; with farmland ruined, food production is crippled. 

The country now faces a race against time to restore infrastructure, support farmers, and stabilise food distribution before shortages and economic hardship deepen further.