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4mo ago

World Bank Puts Cyclone Ditwah’s Damage to Sri Lanka at $4.1 Billion

The tally captures only direct physical losses, signaling larger reconstruction needs for a still-fragile economy.

The cyclone struck as the country was emerging from its worst ever economic meltdown in 2022
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Overview

  • The World Bank’s GRADE assessment values losses to infrastructure at $1.735 billion, housing $985 million, agriculture $814 million, and non-residential buildings $562 million.
  • The cyclone killed more than 640 people and severely affected nearly two million residents, including about 500,000 families across all 25 districts.
  • The estimate equals roughly 4% of GDP and excludes lost income, production and full reconstruction costs.
  • Sri Lanka has secured $206 million in IMF emergency financing, and $120 million in World Bank funds have been repurposed for early recovery.
  • Central Province was hit hardest, with about $689 million in damage in Kandy district, where flooding and landslides disrupted connectivity, services and rural livelihoods.