What caused the devastating floods in Sri Lanka and Indonesia?
Two powerful weather events hit the region almost simultaneously.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka, releasing more than 300mm of rain in just 48 hours, overwhelming rivers and triggering deadly landslides. At the same time, a separate storm system drenched Indonesia and surrounding countries, causing rivers to burst, hillsides to collapse, and entire villages to be submerged.
Families had no time to escape.
Homes vanished under rising water.
Parents carried children through sudden landslides and flash floods.
This combination turned the region into a massive humanitarian emergency.
How badly has Sri Lanka been affected?
Sri Lanka is facing its worst flooding in twenty years.
According to the UN and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC):
- 390 people have died
- 352+ people are still missing
- 1,373,899 people have been affected nationwide
- 382,651 families displaced
- 180,000+ people are sleeping in over 1,000 emergency shelters
Entire tea estates, farms, homes, and small businesses have been washed away.
In the Central Province, families remain stranded as roads, bridges, and communication lines are destroyed.
Which areas in Sri Lanka have been hit the hardest?
Some of the most impacted districts include:
- Central Province - Badulla, Kandy, and Matale
- Gampaha
- Colombo and Puttalam
- Batticaloa and Trincomalee
In many areas, homes are unsafe, water levels remain dangerously high, and landslide warnings continue.
What is the situation in Indonesia right now?
Indonesia has also suffered extreme devastation.
According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) via Reuters:
- 502 people have died
- Hundreds remain missing
- Homes and entire neighbourhoods are buried under mud
- Thousands of families are now displaced and living in temporary shelters
Some villages in Sumatra are still unreachable, with rescue teams navigating collapsed roads and unstable ground.
Why are so many communities still cut off?
The floods have severely damaged infrastructure in both countries.
Families are isolated because:
- Bridges have collapsed
- Major roads are submerged
- Phone and power lines are down
- Landslides continue to block access
- Boats cannot reach flooded areas safely
For many survivors, help still hasn't reached them.
What dangers do displaced families face right now?
Survivors are struggling with:
- Lack of clean drinking water
- Hunger and food shortages
- Cold, unsafe shelter
- Contaminated floodwater
- High risk of water-borne diseases
Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are the most vulnerable.
This is why immediate aid, especially water, food, and hygiene supplies is lifesaving.
How is Al-Ihsan Foundation helping families in need?
Al-Ihsan Foundation's trusted partners are in Sri Lanka's Central Province and preparing to deliver urgent support across additional impacted districts in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, insha'Allah.
Our emergency response includes:
- Freshly prepared hot meals
- Clean drinking water
- Emergency food packs
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- Clothing and blankets
- Temporary shelter materials
We work closely with local responders who understand the terrain, ensuring aid reaches families safely, quickly, and with dignity.
Your Sadaqah can bring relief right now
Donations help give a family:
- Food when markets are closed
- Water when wells are contaminated
- Safety when homes are destroyed
- Dignity during overwhelming loss
"Whoever relieves hardship from a believer, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgement."
- Sahih Muslim
Your generosity becomes mercy in action.
For families who survived the floods but lost everything else, your donation brings hope, dignity, and relief.
