- Nearly one million people were affected, over 180,000 sheltering in 1,275 safety centres.
- Floods and landslides cause major disruptions across central and coastal regions.
- Rescue operations are ongoing as rivers remain swollen and infrastructure damaged.
- Authorities warn of continued landslide risks and advise caution for returning residents.
Sri Lanka continues to experience the devastating impact of severe weather caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reporting that 212 people have died and 218 remain missing as of yesterday (30).
According to the DMC's situation report issued at 4 p.m. yesterday (30), a total of 998,918 persons belonging to 273,606 families have been affected by the natural disasters.
The confirmed death toll has risen to 212, while 218 people remain missing. There are 1,275 safety centres across the country, where 180,499 persons belonging to 51,228 families are currently sheltering.
The DMC reported that the death toll so far includes 71 in Badulla, 66 in Kandy, 20 in Matale, 19 in Kurunegala, with one or more fatalities reported in several other districts.
The list of missing persons includes 105 from Kandy, 53 from Badulla, 37 from Kurunegala, 10 from Matale, four from Nuwara Eliya, two each from Vavuniya and Puttalam, and one each from several other Districts.
The highest number of affected families has been recorded in Gampaha, where 55,306 families with a total of 211,719 persons have been impacted. Colombo has reported the second-highest figure, with 40,740 families with 174,255 persons affected. Puttalam follows with 36,098 families with 135,922 persons, while Mannar has reported 24,313 families with 79,946 persons affected by adverse weather conditions.
In an update issued at 3:30 p.m. yesterday, the Irrigation Department reported multiple major and minor flood levels across key river basins. Along the Kelani Ganga, major floods were recorded at Nagalagam Street and Hanwella stations, while Glencourse recorded a minor flood level. On the Kalu Ganga, minor floods were reported at Putupaula, Ellagawa, and Millakanda stations. On the Yan Oya, Horowupothana station recorded a minor flood, with Badalgama station on the Maha Oya and Dunamale station on the Attanagalu Oya also reporting minor flood levels.
The Meteorology Department has also warned that, although heavy rainfall has subsided, the water received in the central regions continues to flow downstream, keeping the risk of flooding high. The Director General of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake, highlighted the possibility of landslides due to saturated soil and urged caution for residents returning to their homes. Communities along the coastal belt from Trincomalee to Kankesanthurai and from Kankesanthurai to Puttalam are still under weather warnings, with authorities advising fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea.
In the central hills, another landslide was reported in Sarasavigama, Peradeniya, resulting in at least 23 fatalities. Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far, while search operations continue for those still missing. The landslide destroyed 10 houses, and local authorities warn the death toll may rise.
The Mahaweli River’s declining water levels in Peradeniya and Gannoruwa have also raised concerns about potential landslides along riverbanks. Residents in at-risk buildings have been instructed to evacuate immediately.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force rescued 121 people trapped near the Mavil Aru Anicut, relocating them to safe areas using Bell–412 and MI-17 helicopters.
Infrastructure across the country has also been affected. The Colombo-Kandy main road section near Yakkala Ayurveda is caving in, prompting a temporary closure between Yakkala and Thihariya, with motorists advised to use alternative routes.
Another landslide in Rendapola, Welimada, has left nine people missing. Army rescue teams have successfully evacuated about 10 people, including three foreign nationals from Mexico and Argentina, moving them to the Samaraweerapura Mosque for temporary shelter.