Cyclone Ditwah: Kandy's Devastation a Lesson in Human Error, Climate Change

• Sri Lanka's Kandy district was the worst-hit by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused catastrophic floods and landslides and claimed 618 lives nationwide.
• Kandy district alone reported 232 deaths, 91 disappearances, and 1,800 fully destroyed homes due to the disaster.
• Experts attribute the disaster partly to unplanned settlements and warn of climate change impacts, citing the burial of Nelummala village.
• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged grants for new homes and land, and banned future construction in danger zones.
• India is among the nations assisting Sri Lanka in the rehabilitation process following the cyclone.

Why It Matters: Kandy's devastation is a stark warning on climate change and poor urban planning.