MONETABRIEF – Washington-based World Bank has approved a 110 million dollar loan to rebuild 600 kilometres of roads that were severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah to withstand heavy rain.
The reconstructed roads will be built with improved drainage systems, landslide protection measures, and updated engineering to withstand extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe, the agency said.
"Cyclone Ditwah has had a devastating impact on connectivity across Sri Lanka, but rebuilding also gives us an opportunity to build back stronger," said Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka.
The funds will come from the International Development Association's Crisis Response Window. They will restore access to markets, schools, and health facilities in the communities hit by the cyclone.
The loan expands an ongoing Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project (ICDP) by three years, bringing total World Bank investment in Sri Lanka's transport connectivity under the operation to 610 million dollars.
Cyclone created an estimated 4.1 billion dollars in damages affectied nearly two million people across all 25 districts.
The transport sector sustained approximately 973 million dollars in damages, including close to 2,000 kilometers of provincial roads, more than 3,500 kilometers of rural roads, and close to 700 bridges, with recovery needs estimated at 1.31 billion dollars, the World Bank said.