2000 Sri Lanka cyclone
In December 2000, a powerful tropical cyclone formed in the Bay of Bengal. Known as BOB 06 (04B), it was the strongest storm to hit Sri Lanka since 1978.
The storm formed around December 23–25 and quickly strengthened. By December 25–26 it reached peak strength with winds around 169 km/h (105 mph according to Indian authorities). It made landfall on eastern Sri Lanka near Trincomalee on December 26, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and a storm surge. It crossed the island and entered the Gulf of Mannar, then moved toward southern India.
On December 28 it struck near Kanyakumari, India, as a weaker tropical storm, and it weakened further to a remnant low by December 29–30.
Impact in Sri Lanka
- Heavy rain: about 100–200 mm (4–8 inches) fell in many areas.
- Strong winds and storm surge caused widespread damage.
- About 83,000 houses were damaged or destroyed; up to 500,000 people were temporarily homeless.
- A fishing village was wiped out and 109 boats were washed away near Puttalam.
- Nine people died and eight were missing; one person died from a falling tree.
- Crops, including large areas of rice, were damaged; roads, power, and telephone services were disrupted for days.
Impact in India
- In southern India, some houses and crops were damaged, but there were no deaths reported.
Relief and aftercare
- Sri Lankan authorities and the Red Cross began relief efforts, providing shelter, food, and other aid to thousands of people.
- Recovery work continued for weeks as communities rebuilt and recovered from the storm.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:46 (CET).