At least 56 dead, dozens missing as severe rains unleash floods, landslides in Sri Lanka

The country now prepares for more intense weather as Cyclone Ditwah advances along the eastern coastline

Videos on social media show houses being swept away by floodwaters in Sri Lanka. Temporary shelters have also been opened for the affected families. Photo via X.

At least 56 people have died and 21 remain missing after days of torrential rain triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, one of the country’s worst weather disasters in recent years.

The central district of Badulla, known for its sprawling tea estates, was among the hardest hit. A landslide swept through a cluster of homes overnight, killing 21 residents, according to a statement from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

According to a report published by the BBC, footage circulating on social media showed homes collapsing into raging waters and torrents running through town centres. With major tracks submerged or damaged, the Railway Department suspended most services nationwide.

Sri Lanka is now preparing for more intense weather as Cyclone Ditwah advances along the island’s eastern coastline.

The system, which formed as a deep depression earlier this week, has strengthened into a cyclone and is expected to make landfall in India, forecasters said.

As river levels across several districts continue to rise, the DMC has urged residents in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground immediately.

The Irrigation Department has issued a red-level warning for low-lying communities along the Kelani River valley, including parts of the capital Colombo, over the next 48 hours.

The Meteorology Department has warned that some central and northern regions could receive more than 200mm of rain on Friday.

Major inter-district roads have been closed due to inundation and landslides, while the Railway Department has halted all but a few essential routes from 6am Friday.

According to the DMC, nearly 44,000 people have been affected.

The military has deployed 20,500 personnel to assist with evacuations, distribute relief, and support search-and-rescue operations.

The heavy rains have also disrupted the country’s A-Level examinations, which have now been postponed.

Although Sri Lanka is in the midst of its monsoon season, weather events of this scale are rare.

The last major disaster of comparable magnitude occurred in June 2003, when flooding and landslides left 254 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.