Sri Lanka is grappling with one of its most severe weather-related catastrophes in recent years, as torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods and lethal landslides across the island nation. Official reports from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirm a death toll of at least 40 individuals, with an additional 21 people reported missing.
The central tea-growing district of Badulla suffered the most significant single incident, where a catastrophic overnight landslide buried multiple homes, claiming 21 lives. Disturbing footage circulating on social media platforms depicts the sheer force of the disaster, showing residential structures being swept away by powerful floodwaters. In response, authorities have established temporary shelters to provide refuge for displaced families.
Compounding the crisis, meteorological officials warn that conditions are poised to deteriorate further with the approach of Cyclone Ditwah along Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline. Originally forming as a deep depression, the system has intensified into a cyclone that is forecasted to make landfall in India while significantly impacting Sri Lanka’s weather patterns.
With river levels continuing to rise dangerously, the DMC has issued urgent evacuation advisories for residents in low-lying regions. The Irrigation Department has escalated warnings to red alert status for the Kelani River valley, including areas within the capital Colombo, anticipating critical flooding within the next 48 hours. Forecasters predict excessive rainfall exceeding 200mm in central and northern territories on Friday.
The widespread disruption has severely impacted transportation networks, with key inter-provincial roads closed and railway services experiencing major interruptions. The educational sector has also been affected, prompting authorities to postpone Advanced Level Examinations for thousands of students.
While Sri Lanka routinely experiences monsoon conditions, the current scale of devastation is exceptionally rare. The event evokes memories of the country’s worst flooding this century in June 2003, which resulted in 254 fatalities and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.