Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Sri Lanka: Floods - Oct 2024

Disaster description

In the past few days, most provinces of Sri Lanka have been experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing floods and severe weather-related incidents that resulted in casualties and damage. According to the Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka, as of 14 October, three people died, both in Western province and two others have been injured. Moreover, almost 7,000 people have been sheltered, 134,484 have been affected, and 241 houses have been damaged. (ECHO, 14 Oct 2024)

The humanitarian impact and the amount of damage are increasing following the severe weather conditions and consequent floods that have been affecting 16 districts of Sri Lanka. According to the National Disaster Relief Services Centre, the death toll stands at three, while 10,743 people have been evacuated to 80 safety centres. Moreover, 155,759 people have been affected, Colombo and Gampaha districts are the worst-hit. One house has been fully damaged, and 490 others are partially damaged. (ECHO, 15 Oct 2024)

Heavy rainfall and strong winds have been affecting most of Sri Lanka since 23 November, causing floods, landslides and a number of severe weather-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage. The affected provinces are Northern, Uva, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern. Media report, as of 27 November, one fatality and one injured people in the Bandarawela town, Badulla district, Uva province due to the collapse of a wall. In addition, media also report approximately nearly 16,000 affected people across all the aforementioned affected provinces, where the worst affected area is the Jaffna district, Northern province. (ECHO, 27 Nov 2024)

As of 28 November, eight people died, including four in Karaitivu town, Eastern province, nine have been injured, four people are missing, and five people have been rescued according to media reports. More than 276,000 have been displaced across 165 relief centres. In addition, more than 600 houses were destroyed. (ECHO, 28 Nov 2024)

The humanitarian impact of the heavy rainfall, strong winds and consequent floods that have affected northern Sri Lanka since 23 November, causing casualties and damage, is still increasing. As of 2 December, the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre reports 17 fatalities, including 12 in the Eastern province, 19 injured people, 7,308 displaced in 85 shelters, and at least 475,225 affected people. In addition, more than 2,516 houses have been destroyed and 106 partially damaged. (ECHO, 2 Dec 2024)

Heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning continue to affect most of Sri Lanka since 23 November, causing floods, landslides and a number of severe weather-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage. The affected provinces are Northern, Uva, North-Western, Western, North Central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Southern. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports, as of 3 December, 18 fatalities, 19 injured people, nearly 5,100 still evacuated people in 64 evacuation centres, and a total of approximately 468,750 affected people across the aforementioned provinces. In addition, DMC also reports 107 fully damaged houses and more than 2,600 partially damaged houses. (ECHO, 3 Dec 2024)

Affected Countries

Latest Updates

Maps and Infographics

Other disasters affecting the country