Sri Lanka – 2 More Fatalities as Thousands Affected by Floods and Landslides in Rathnapura

Heavy rain has continued to fall in Sri Lanka, causing 2 more fatalities, destroying homes and displacing around 1,100 people.

The country’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported flooding and landslides in Kegalle, Rathnapura, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts on 19 May. Strong winds caused damage in Monaragala and Badulla districts.

A total of 9,716 people have been affected with around 8,000 of them in Rathnapura where over 1,000 people have been displaced and 2 people have died. Around 100 people were displaced in Matara. Four people have now died as a result of severe weather in the country since 15 May, when 2 fatalities were reported after in Kegalle District.

Six houses in Rathnapura and 1 in Matara were destroyed as a result of floods or landslides on 19 May. Strong winds destroyed a home in Monaragala. A total of 586 homes were damaged in severe weather from 19 May, including 409 in Rathnapura District.

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology said the recent heavy rain was a result of the influence of Cyclonic Storm Amphan. As much as 173.5mm of rain was recorded at Alton Estate, Nuwara-Eliya, in 24 hours to 20 May. The previous day 193.3mm of rain fell at Rathnapura.

The department said fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in Nuwara-Eliya, Kaluthara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle and Matara districts on 20 May. The influence of Amphan is expected to reduce from 21 May as the storms continues north over the central Bay of Bengal.

Social Media

Kahawatta, and Palmadulla in #Rathnapura today #floods #SLMonsoons @djshiau @theOFDA #SarvodayaRathnapura pic.twitter.com/nfEE6NV2Ln

— Sarvodaya Sri Lanka (@sarvodayalanka) May 19, 2020