Attachments
What happened, where and when?
Initial Flooding and Landslides - October 2023
In early October 2023, Sri Lanka experienced heavy rainfall across the western, Sabaragamuwa, and southern provinces due to the intensification of the southwest monsoon. The severe rainfall, beginning on 6 October, prompted authorities to issue a red warning for seven districts on 7 October. The worst-affected districts included Gampaha, Matara, and Galle, where widespread flooding and landslides led to seven fatalities and impacted more than 75,000 people from 20,450 families across 13 districts. Rising water levels in major rivers- including Nilwala Ganga, Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga, and Attanagalu Ganga-caused severe inundation in low-lying areas. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued multiple landslide alerts, while the Ceylon Electricity Board disconnected power in Matara as a precautionary measure. Mudslides destroyed houses, floodwaters damaged schools, and critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure was severely impacted, affecting drinking water sources and sewerage systems.
Escalation of Flooding in Northern Sri Lanka - December 2023
In December 2023, severe weather conditions extended to the northern province, with heavy rainfall and strong winds affecting Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Puttalam. The floods resulted in two fatalities, three injuries, and affected more than 25,958 people. Thousands of homes sustained damage, and access to essential goods and services was severely disrupted. The situation was worsened by the opening of spill gates at the Iranamadu reservoir, leading to further flooding in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Over 5,000 families were affected in these two districts alone, with Mullaitivu experiencing the highest number of displacements. Additionally, over 3,000 people were impacted in Puttalam. The disaster severely impacted agriculture, with more than 10,000 farmers losing their crops, threatening food security and livelihoods.
Severe Flooding in the Eastern Province January 2024
By January 2024, intensified northeast monsoon rains led to further flooding, with Ampara district in the Eastern Province facing the most severe impact. Between 9 and 10 January, Ampara received over 150 mm of rainfall, triggering flash floods that displaced more than 2,000 families. As of 12 January, these families were relocated to 31 temporary shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The largest reservoir in Sri Lanka, located in Ampara, overflowed on 10 January, reaching 112 feet, marking its second overflow event in the past decade. The excess water release, coupled with spillovers from smaller reservoirs, worsened flooding across the district.
Floodwaters submerged major roads, including the Ampara-Iginiagala main road, disrupting transportation and isolating communities. Railway services were suspended, and emergency transportation was provided by Sri Lankan armed forces and police. According to the DC update on 12 January, approximately 169,504 people were affected in Ampara, with 181 houses partially damaged. Schools were inundated, disrupting education, while more than 26,000 acres of paddy fields were destroyed, severely affecting livelihoods.
Flood-related disruptions to healthcare services compounded existing vulnerabilities, as affected populations faced restricted access to medical facilities. Assessments conducted by SLRCS branches indicated that over 20,000 farmers lost their harvests, with daily-wage laborers among the most severely impacted due to income loss and transportation challenges.
For reference: [1] http://www.dmc.gov.Ik/images/dmcreports/Situation_Report_on_2024__1705117067.pdf [2] http://www.dmc.gov.lk/index.php?lang=en