Late November to early December , Sri Lanka went through a heartbreaking stretch of extreme weather linked to Cyclone Ditwah . It wasn’t just “heavy rain”, it was days of nonstop rainfall that turned rivers into fast currents, pushed water into homes, and triggered landslides in hill-country communities.
People lost loved ones. Families were displaced. Roads, bridges, and rail lines were damaged. It’s one of those moments where the island’s beauty and its vulnerability show up at the same time.
This article is written for travelers who want clear, practical information , and also want to understand the situation with respect.
What happened (in simple terms)
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall around 28 November and moved slowly, dumping intense rain over multiple days. That long, heavy rainfall caused:
Widespread flooding (especially in low-lying districts and river basins)Landslides (mostly in the central hills where soil becomes unstable fast)Transport disruptions (roads blocked, some train lines interrupted, bridges/culverts damaged)
International and official situation reports described it as one of Sri Lanka’s worst flood disasters in years, affecting communities across all districts at different levels.
Which areas were affected the most
Hill Country
The most serious human impact (including landslides and rescue challenges) was reported in the central/south-central hill areas such as:
Kandy
Badulla
Nuwara Eliya
Why it matters for tourists: landslides can block roads suddenly, delay trains, and make some scenic routes unsafe without warning.
Western + North-Western lowlands (flooding + long inundation)
Flooding and prolonged waterlogging hit heavily populated and low-lying districts including:
Colombo
Gampaha
Puttalam
River flooding (major river basins)
Flooding along key rivers (including the Kelani River basin) added to the disruption in and around the Western Province.
If you’re a tourist in Sri Lanka right now: what to do
1) Follow official travel situation updates (not random posts)
Sri Lanka Tourism posted transport updates and advisories during the event, including support for tourists affected by the weather.
2) Save the key emergency numbers
Sri Lanka Tourism hotline: 1912 (tourism help + guidance, including during unexpected disasters)Police emergency: 119 Ambulance (Suwa Seriya): 1990
3) Be smart with hill-country travel
If you’re heading to places like Ella or doing Kandy–Nuwara Eliya routes during rainy weeks:
Travel in the morning when visibility is better
Avoid “shortcuts” through small mountain roads after heavy rain
Expect delays, keep buffer time between destinations
4) Don’t force an itinerary if locals say “not safe”
If a hotel, guide, or driver advises you to delay a route, listen. They see the conditions daily and usually know where slips happen first.
If you’re planning a trip soon: should you cancel?
Not automatically.
During events like this, some areas can be badly hit while other regions are operating normally. The key is to plan with flexibility and check updates close to travel dates. Sri Lanka Tourism repeatedly emphasized traveler support and ongoing updates during severe weather conditions.
A safer approach:
Build a Plan B itinerary (swap hill country days for coastal/city days if needed)
Get travel insurance that covers weather disruption
Book stays with reasonable cancellation/change policies
Traveling with respect ❤️For many Sri Lankan families, this wasn’t just an “inconvenience.” Homes were lost. Livelihoods were damaged. Large-scale reports described extensive displacement and housing damage at the peak of the emergency.
If you do visit soon:
Choose locally owned stays/tours when possible
Tip fairly, especially in areas recovering
Avoid “disaster content” filming in affected neighborhoods
Support ethical charities if you want to help (even small contributions matter)
