Sri Lanka: Floods - Apr 1999

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombo reported that 200,000 people were left homeless following torrential rains continuing since 19 April in the Western and Southern administrative districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle and Matara on 19 April. Six persons were reportedly killed. (OCHA, 26 Apr 1999)

Unusually heavy rains for this time of year and violent thunderstorms along the western and south-western coast of Sri Lanka between 16 and 21 April caused widespread damage and severe floods in the south-west and south of the country. The main rivers, Kelani and Kalu, rose by over seven feet, and caused additional flooding, made worse by slow run-off. Some of the worst areas received as much as 290 mm of rain in 24 hours, and even the capital, Colombo, where 284 mm fell within 24 hours, experienced bad flooding in many sectors of the city. The worst affected districts are Ratnapura, Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Galle, Kandy, Matara and Kegalle, all located between the coast and the Kandyan highlands. Six persons were reported killed by lightning, landslides or floods. Thousands of houses were damaged or destroyed, and initial official figures place the number of homeless at around 75,000 families. [...] In Colombo alone an estimated 12,400 families were affected. The damage is reportedly much worse in the rural areas particularly in Ratnapura District. (IFRC, 29 Apr 1999)