355 dead, 366 missing & 1.1 Million Affected in Sri Lanka’s Worst Flood in Decades

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is grappling with one of its worst natural disasters in recent history as torrential rains and floods have left 318,252 families – totaling 1,156,860 people – in distress across 25 districts.

The latest situation report from the Disaster Management Center paints a grim picture: 355 confirmed deaths, 366 missing, and thousands seeking refuge in temporary shelters.

The hardest-hit districts include Colombo and Gampaha, where over 437,000 people combined have been affected.

Colombo alone reports 52,939 families displaced, while Gampaha tops the list with 56,854 families impacted.

In the hill country, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya have suffered catastrophic losses, recording 88 and 75 deaths respectively, alongside hundreds missing.

Eastern districts such as Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee are also reeling under floodwaters, while Mannar and Puttalam face severe inundation, displacing tens of thousands.

Relief efforts are underway, with 1,529 safety centers now operational, sheltering 59,266 families (209,568 persons). Yet, the scale of devastation demands urgent assistance.

Authorities warn that the death toll could rise as search operations continue in remote areas. Roads remain submerged, and communication lines are disrupted, complicating rescue missions.

The government has mobilized military units for relief distribution, while appeals for food, medicine, and clean water surge.