October 19, Colombo (LNW): More than 7,600 people have been affected by adverse weather across Sri Lanka since September 19, 2026, with flooding and other weather-related incidents causing fatalities, injuries and extensive damage to homes, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
The latest figures, released today (19), show that 7,651 people from 2,106 families have experienced the effects of the severe weather. The situation has spread across 183 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 20 districts, highlighting the widespread impact on communities throughout the island.
The DMC has confirmed eight deaths and 12 injuries, while one person remains unaccounted for. Damage to residential properties has also been considerable, with 26 houses completely destroyed and a further 1,390 sustaining partial damage.
As relief efforts continue, 46 people from 13 families are currently accommodated at two designated safety centres. Authorities are monitoring the situation and assisting those displaced by the weather, as affected households face the challenge of recovering from damage to their homes and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, a separate weather-related concern is affecting large parts of the country, with prolonged dry conditions leaving 137,953 people from 41,725 families facing difficulties. The affected communities are spread across 30 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 12 districts: Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mannar, Matale, Monaragala, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa and Vavuniya.
Access to safe drinking water remains a major concern in these areas. According to the DMC, water supplies have been delivered to 110,174 people from 32,688 families across 26 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the affected districts.
The figures underline the contrasting weather-related challenges confronting Sri Lanka, where some communities are dealing with the consequences of severe weather while others are struggling with water shortages. Continued relief operations and public cooperation will remain important in meeting immediate needs, particularly for families whose homes have been damaged or whose access to essential water supplies has been disrupted.
