Sri Lanka: Floods - May 2003

After heavy monsoon rains, villages in the south and southwest of Sri Lanka were struck by flash floods landslides on 17 May 2003. Several rivers overflowed, inundating large tracts of land. Numerous villages were totally partially submerged and water and landslides cut off many roads. The worst affected areas were the five districts Kalutara, Hambantota, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura, with the latter two being the worst affected. In Ratnapura, water level was approximately ten metres above normal.

According to the most updated government figures as of 30 May, nearly 146,000 families were affected. 250 people were killed. Approximately 10,000 houses were destroyed and another 30,000 houses partially destroyed. (IFRC, 12 Jun 2003)