December 07, Colombo (LNW): The country remains in the grip of a deepening humanitarian emergency as relentless storms batter every corner of the island.
As of 8 p.m. yesterday evening (06), officials at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the confirmed death toll has risen to 618, with 209 people still unaccounted for as rescue teams continue combing through debris and flood-stricken areas.
According to the latest assessments, all 25 districts have suffered some degree of disruption, with more than 2 million residents—representing over 583,000 families—feeling the impact.
Gampaha, Puttalam and Colombo have borne the brunt of the devastation, each struggling to cope with widespread flooding, landslides and the collapse of essential services.
Authorities say around 100,000 people are currently seeking refuge in nearly 1,000 emergency shelters, many of which are operating beyond their intended capacity. Aid workers on the ground describe increasingly strained conditions as supplies run thin and damaged infrastructure hampers delivery routes.
The DMC’s preliminary damage survey indicates that at least 4,071 homes have been completely lost, with an additional over 71,000 sustaining partial destruction. Local officials warn that these figures may climb as previously inaccessible areas are reached and assessments continue.
Despite the bleak outlook, volunteers, rescue personnel and community groups are pressing on, with many calling for accelerated relief efforts as the weather shows few signs of easing.
