• 15,000 landslide-prone locations identified, 5k fams. already relocated 
• NBRO red evac. notices issued to 41 DSDs in Kandy/K’galle/K’gala/Matale extended, Stage 2 notices to 31 DSDs in 5 Districts, Phase 1 notices to 19 DSDs in 4 other Districts
• Water levels in maj. reservoirs further reduced in anticipation of rainfall 
• N-E monsoon showers/thundershowers may continue until 19 Dec., esp. in North, North-Central, East, Central, North-West and Uva, fairly strong winds also 
• 638 dead, 191 missing 

The total number of houses completely destroyed across Sri Lanka due to the severe disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah has surpassed 5,000, according to the latest report issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). A total of 5,325 houses have been completely destroyed by the disaster so far. 

The Kandy District has recorded the highest number of completely damaged houses, amounting to 1,815. The Nuwara Eliya District has reported the second-highest number of houses destroyed, with 767 houses affected. Additionally, 476 houses have been completely damaged in the Kurunegala District, 415 in the Puttalam District, 404 in the Badulla District, and 300 in the Kegalle District. 

The Kandy District has also recorded the highest number of partially damaged houses, with 13,422 affected. This is followed by 11,601 partially damaged houses in the Kegalle District, 7,869 in the Ratnapura District, 7,291 in the Badulla District, 5,830 in the Gampaha District, 4,809 in the Puttalam District, 4,135 in the Vavuniya District, 3,742 in the Nuwara Eliya District, 3,600 in the Kurunegala District, 3,526 in the Polonnaruwa District, and 2,249 in the Anuradhapura District.

The Puttalam District has recorded the highest number of individuals affected, with 349,429 people belonging to 98,146 families impacted by the disaster. The Colombo District ranks second, with 328,847 individuals from 85,803 families displaced. Furthermore, 161,140 people from 51,098 families in the Kandy District, 86,376 individuals from 25,999 families in the Trincomalee District, 85,891 individuals from 25,055 families in the Kurunegala District, 77,451 individuals from 23,641 families in the Mannar District, 67,340 individuals from 22,918 families in the Mullaitivu District, and 72,359 individuals from 21,948 families in the Anuradhapura District have been identified as among the most affected by the disaster.

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) reports that about 15,000 landslide-prone locations have been identified across the country, and that nearly 5,000 families residing in those high-risk areas have already been relocated. Senior Scientist at the NBRO, Dr. Wasantha Senadheera stated that residents living in the identified risk zones must evacuate without delay for their safety. Dr. Senadheera further explained that incidents reported to the NBRO are studied based on a priority list received through a channel starting with the Grama Niladhari officer, progressing through the Divisional Secretary, and finally to the District Secretary. 

The NBRO announced that the red evacuation notices issued to 41 Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) in four Districts at 4 p.m. on Monday (08) will remain in effect. In addition, notices under Stage Two have been issued to 31 DSDs in five Districts, while Phase One notices have been issued for 19 DSDs in four other Districts, Dr. Senadheera said.

The DMC has instructed District Secretaries to evacuate people living in landslide-prone areas in the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale to designated safe centres. The evacuation warning has been issued in line with the Level Three (Red) landslide warnings issued by the NBRO due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions. The NBRO has identified multiple high-risk locations across the four Districts, prompting the need for immediate precautionary action. Accordingly, the DMC has directed District Secretaries to relocate residents in the affected areas to safe centres from yesterday (09) and till 19 December of this year (2025). The DMC further noted that evacuation operations will be coordinated with the District Secretaries, NBRO officials, DSs, Grama Niladharis, the Police, and the other relevant authorities. The Districts and DSDs under Level Three (Red) landslide warnings are as follows: the Kandy District – Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Udadumbara, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Deltota, Poojapitiya, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panwila, Gangawata Korale, Udapalatha, Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Minipe, Doluwa, Thumpane, Akurana, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara and the surrounding areas, the Kegalle District - Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Warakapola and the surrounding areas, the Kurunegala District - Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and the surrounding areas, and the Matale District – Naula, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Rattota, Matale, Yatawatta and the surrounding areas.

The Deputy Director of Weather Forecasting and Disaster Management at the Meteorology Department, Meril Mendis noted that rainy (showers or thundershowers) conditions may continue until 19 December, especially in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Central, North-Western and Uva Provinces. The North-East monsoon conditions have established over the island. Fairly heavy falls above 75 millimetres (mm) are likely at some places in the Northern and North-Central Provinces and in the Trincomalee District. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1 p.m. today (10). Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kilometres per hour can be expected at times over the Northern, North Central and North-Western Provinces and in the Trincomalee District and the Eastern slopes of the Central Hills. The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.

With the North-East monsoon expected to continue to some extent in the coming days, Dr. Senadheera urged residents in high-risk areas to exercise heightened caution, remain in safe locations, and avoid unnecessary travel, as the failure to do so could pose a life-threatening risk.

Elsewhere, the Irrigation Department reports that water levels in several major reservoirs across the country are being further reduced in response to rainfall forecasts for the coming days. The Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management), L.S. Sooriyabandara stated that water is currently being released to lower reservoir levels in Nachchaduwa and Rajanganaya in the Anuradhapura District; the Deduru Oya, Lunugamwehera, and Weheragala in the Hambantota District; and the Senanayake Samudraya in the Ampara District. A sluice gate of the Upper Kotmale Reservoir has been opened due to rains in catchment areas. Engineers in charge of the Reservoir stated that the sluice gate was opened in order to maintain the water level of the Reservoir at its normal level. He emphasised that the volumes of water being released will not have any adverse impact on downstream areas. Sooriyabandara added that due to the likelihood of further rainfall as indicated by current weather forecasts, Department offices are operating around the clock to continuously monitor the situation. The public will be kept informed of any developments, he noted. He further noted that although monsoon rains are presently active according to the Meteorology Department, no dangerous conditions have arisen based on the current assessments.

The death toll due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in the country in the past few days caused by Cyclone Ditwah has increased to 638 as of yesterday (09), the DMC has confirmed. The DMC also reported that at least 191 individuals still remain missing as search and relief operations continue across multiple Districts.