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Satellite rainfall estimates from Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) revealed extraordinary flooding in Sri Lanka caused by unusually strong monsoonal rainfall over the period 10 September - 30 September 2014.
The exceptional rainfall occurred mainly in the Southern, Northcentral and Uva Province of Sri Lanka. Massive flooding was reported in the districts of Kalutara, Ratnapura and in parts of Colombo, Galle and Matara. The accumulated rainfall was about 2 to 3 times as high as compared to the rainfall in the same period in 2014. For example, the southern provinces districts received an average accumulated rainfall of more than 100mm from 24 to 30 Sept. 2015 - compared to 75mm in 2014. At district level (Galle 198mm in 2015 vs. 121mm in 2014; Matara 142mm in 2015 vs. 78mm in 2014; Polonnaruwa 136mm in 2015 vs. 98mm in 2014).
From the public sources, at least 18,917 persons have been affected by the severe weather condition prevailing in the Southern Province for several days, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said. The DMC was warned people living by the Gin Ganga to be vigilant on rising water levels, especially by-roads and low lands in the Galle District.