Death Toll Rises to Nine as Severe Weather Ravages Sri Lanka; Landslide Warnings Extended for 10 Districts
Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 23, 2025
The death toll attributed to the ongoing severe weather conditions across Sri Lanka has tragically risen to nine people, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The prolonged period of heavy rainfall, driven by atmospheric disturbances, has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage, paralyzing daily life in several regions.
DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili confirmed the latest fatality figures and stated that numerous roads across wide areas remain underwater due to the persistent rain. He also reported multiple instances of rock and earth slips blocking roadways in hilly areas.
Landslide Warnings Extended
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has reiterated and extended its landslide warnings for ten districts, advising residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant.
Senior Geologist Wasantha Senadheera of the NBRO specified that the warnings remain in effect and have been extended for many Divisional Secretariat areas across the following districts:
- Colombo
- Kalutara
- Galle
- Kandy
- Kegalle
- Matara
- Ratnapura
- Badulla
- Hambantota
- Nuwara Eliya
The extension of these warnings underscores the instability of slopes saturated by the continuous heavy precipitation.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Impacts
According to the Department of Meteorology, the island has been experiencing heavy rain for several days due to the turbulent atmospheric conditions. The focus of the intense rainfall has shifted, often bringing torrential downpours during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Matara District was particularly hard-hit:
- Widespread Flooding: The town of Deniyaya and several surrounding areas were submerged by heavy rains.
- Road Closures: Traffic on the Matara-Kotapola road was completely disrupted after floodwaters inundated the area around Baddanawala in Urubokka.
- River Overflow: The Uruboku Oya overflowed its banks near Katuwana town, leading to the inundation of the town and surrounding areas last night.
- Damage Assessment: The Matara District Relief Services Unit reported that the adverse weather has affected 363 people from 100 families in the district.
In areas like Deniyaya, security forces intervened to provide essential transport facilities to residents whose daily routines were disrupted by the floodwaters.
Infrastructure Damage and Travel Disruption
The turbulent weather has also led to infrastructure failure:
- Wind Damage in Galle: A strong gust of wind swept through Nagoda, causing trees to fall onto the electricity grid along the Mapalagama-Galle main road. This resulted in a disruption of power supply and severely hampered traffic movement.
- Kalutara Flooding: Low-lying areas and several roads in the Bulathsinhala area of the Kalutara District were also submerged following the heavy downpour.
Authorities are urging the public across the affected districts to strictly adhere to the landslide warnings issued by the NBRO and to follow safety advice from the DMC and local police, especially regarding travel through flooded or damaged roadways. Relief efforts are ongoing to support the families displaced or affected by the flooding.
