Sri Lanka: Cyclonic Storm Ditwah

Cyclonic Storm Ditwah

Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has caused significant flooding, landslides, and damage to infrastructure across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.  Over 1.37 million people are currently assessed as being directly impacted, with the fatality numbers expected to rise as remote areas are reached by rescue teams in the coming days.  Over 400 have already been confirmed dead with over 300 still missing, and over 200,000 displaced and in shelters.  Flooding has also been reported in the parts of Southern India. 

The meteorology service in Sri Lanka is warning of monsoon rains in the North and East, where land is already saturated from flooding, raising high risks of additional flooding and landslides.

Advice for New Zealanders

Travel has been severely disrupted.  All rail services are suspended nationwide. Roads are closed and a high probability of flights being diverted, delayed or cancelled.  Contact your airline or travel provider before travelling to the airport and expect travel disruptions.  

Expect food and water shortages, especially in districts facing almost total loss of water infrastructure and contamination of wells, including Badulla, Kandy, Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam, and Kurunegala.

If you’re in Sri Lanka adhere to any instructions and restrictions issued by local authorities and monitor local media for updates.  

Keep your family and friends informed about your travel plans and check in with them regularly. 

Local authorities are urging people to travel only when necessary. Roads are being prioritised for emergency response services.  

Register your contact details with us if you haven’t already. We don’t know you’re in a location that has been impacted by a natural disaster if you are not in touch with us. The primary way we communicate with New Zealanders offshore, including sharing information about the local situation and how to stay safe, is sending messages and updates to New Zealanders who have registered with us on SafeTravel. Register your details here.          

New Zealanders requiring urgent consular assistance can call the New Zealand High Commission Colombo, Sri Lanka, on +94 11 217 4717 or email at [email protected].  Our New Zealand 24/7 consular emergency line is +64 99 20 20 20.