November 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s worsening weather crisis has now claimed 47 lives, according to the latest update from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
Officials say that 37 of these fatalities were recorded within just the past two days, underscoring the speed at which the situation has deteriorated.
A further 21 people are still unaccounted for as rescue teams continue operations across multiple districts.
In total, 5,893 individuals from 1,729 households have been affected by the heavy rains, landslides and flooding that have swept through much of the country. Several districts remain on high alert as more unstable ground conditions are being reported.
Badulla has emerged as one of the worst-hit regions, with District Secretary Prabhat Abeywardena confirming that 23 residents have died due to landslides, while five others remain missing. Search operations are ongoing in treacherous terrain.
Kandy, too, is grappling with severe repercussions. Around 20 people have been reported missing following a major landslide in Gangoda. DMC Director General, Major General (Retired) Sampath Kotuwegoda, explained that a group of residents had gathered in a single home, seeking shelter from the risk of slope failures, when the property itself was engulfed by a landslide. Three bodies have since been recovered.
Meanwhile, Nuwara Eliya has reported six fatalities linked to landslides. District Secretary Thushari Tennakoon confirmed that all ten Divisional Secretariat areas within the district have been impacted, with authorities continuing to monitor areas deemed vulnerable to further incidents.
Emergency teams across the central and hill-country districts remain on standby as meteorologists warn of continued instability in the coming days.
