Cyclone Ditwah Leaves Sri Lanka’s Farmers in Despair

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is grappling with a critical situation following the onslaught of Cyclone Ditwah, which has left countless farmers struggling to recover. The fierce storm decimated crops, damaged irrigation infrastructure, and has pushed numerous rural households deeper into financial trouble just as they anticipated a fruitful harvest.

In central Sri Lankan villages, rice paddies that were beginning to thrive are now engulfed in thick mounds of mud and sand. Kalanchi Dewage Risman, a 55-year-old farmer, feels the weight of the loss. His two-acre paddy field was poised for a healthy yield when the cyclone made landfall. Now, he faces the daunting task of clearing, leveling, and replanting the land.

The replanting effort is fraught with challenges. It's already mid-December, and rice planted at this late date typically yields poorly. Moreover, Risman finds himself needing to take out additional loans for machinery, seeds, and fertilizers, all while grappling with debts from earlier this season.

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in November, causing chaos in crucial farming regions that cultivate rice, vegetables, and maize. The storm claimed at least 643 lives and displaced over 70,000 residents into relief centers. Approximately 1.8 million farming households across the nation have felt the storm's impact.

As per government reports, floods have decimated crops across more than 535,000 hectares of farmland. Over 120,000 hectares were completely ruined or buried under debris and mud. Other crops, including vegetables and maize, also sustained significant damage, heightening concerns about food availability in the months ahead.

The destruction of irrigation systems has compounded recovery difficulties. Intensive rainfall has breached hundreds of dams and nearly 2,000 canals vital for irrigating farmlands. Without swift repairs, farmers are unable to replant appropriately or safeguard their crops against additional damage.

In some regions, farmers are banding together, sharing labor and resources to clear fields and repair canals. However, many express that their means are limited, and without robust government assistance, recovery will be a lengthy process.

The cyclone has also displaced numerous families. Niluka Yaparatne, 48, lost her home to a landslide that took several of her neighbors. She and her family fled at night and are currently living with relatives. Finding a rental home close to her children's school has proven difficult due to soaring rents. Additionally, her family is grappling with a sizable loan taken to construct their house.

With her husband’s paddy field destroyed, their primary income source has vanished. Authorities have deemed the area unsafe because of potential landslides, preventing families from returning.

Experts are cautioning that food prices may surge significantly. Food inflation, which was around 3% in November, could double shortly. Given the damage to rice and vegetable supplies, Sri Lanka may face shortages unless recovery is expedited. Economists argue that farmers require financial backing not just for lost crops but also for rehabilitating their lands and procuring fertilizers.

The government has pledged compensation of 150,000 rupees to farmers whose lands were completely devastated. Officials anticipate distributing over 15 billion rupees starting this week. Farmers are being urged to replant by the end of December, with authorities hopeful that a substantial portion of the rice yield can still be rescued.

Yet, lingering worries persist among farmers. For Risman, the initial costs of restarting his farming operation far exceed the compensation offered. He aspires to prepare his land in time for the upcoming planting season in May.

Cyclone Ditwah has highlighted the vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s farmers to extreme weather events. Absent comprehensive planning, enhanced support mechanisms, and robust disaster preparedness, rural populations will continue to find themselves at risk each time a significant storm strikes.