Ruined Rice Fields and Broken Rail Lines: Sri Lanka Counts the Cost of the Cyclone

Unprecedented Agricultural Losses

The cyclone that swept across the island last week left a swath of devastation in its wake, flattening thousands of hectares of rice paddies in the North Central Province. Farmers estimate that more than 2.5 million tonnes of standing crop were destroyed, a blow that threatens the nation’s staple food supply and the livelihoods of rural communities.

“We woke up to fields turned into a sea of mud and water,” said Ranjith Perera, a third‑generation rice farmer from Anuradhapura. “Our harvest is gone, and we have no money to buy seeds for the next season.”

Railway Lines Severed, Transport Grid Paralyzed

In the central highlands, the cyclone’s torrential rains triggered landslides that ripped apart sections of the national railway network. Key routes linking Colombo to Kandy and the interior regions were rendered inoperable, halting both passenger travel and freight movement.

Approximately 45 kilometres of track were reported damaged, with several bridges washed away entirely. The Sri Lanka Railways authority has announced an emergency repair plan, but officials warn that full service may not resume for several weeks.

Economic Fallout Amid a Fragile Recovery

Just months after emerging from a severe balance‑of‑payments crisis, Sri Lanka now faces a fresh wave of financial strain. The government’s preliminary assessment puts the total economic damage at over US $3 billion, a figure that includes agricultural losses, infrastructure repairs, and the cost of emergency relief.

Economists caution that the added burden could delay the country’s ongoing debt‑restructuring negotiations and prolong the period of fiscal austerity that many citizens are already enduring.

Government Response and International Assistance

The President’s Office has declared a state of emergency in the hardest‑hit districts, mobilising the armed forces to distribute food, clean water, and temporary shelters. “Our priority is to ensure that no family goes without basic necessities,” stated Minister of Disaster Management, Anura Kumara.

In addition to domestic efforts, several foreign partners have pledged aid. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has earmarked US $15 million for immediate relief, while neighboring India and China have offered both financial assistance and technical support for rebuilding the damaged rail infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

As Sri Lanka begins the long road to recovery, experts stress the importance of building climate‑resilient agricultural practices and strengthening critical infrastructure. “This disaster highlights the urgent need for adaptive strategies,” says Dr. Maya Fernando, a climate‑risk specialist at the University of Colombo. “Investing now will help safeguard the nation against future extreme weather events.”