Sri Lanka flood and landslide death toll rises to 47, 21 missing

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka has reached 47, with 21 individuals still missing after approximately ten days of extreme weather conditions. Rescue teams continue operations in the hardest-hit regions of the South Asian island nation, which has been battered by heavy rainfall, rising floodwaters, and destructive landslides since November 17.

Scale of the Disaster

According to the country's Disaster Management Center, at least 5,893 people across 17 districts have been severely affected by the ongoing severe weather, with 10 individuals sustaining injuries. A particularly alarming 37 of the fatalities occurred within just the past two days, highlighting the rapid escalation of the crisis. The eastern Batticaloa district has experienced extreme rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters during this period.

Weather Patterns and Warnings

Meteorological officials attribute the persistent severe conditions to a low-pressure system stationary over the country, generating strong winds and repeated waves of intense precipitation. Authorities have issued red-alert landslide warnings for eight high-risk districts, indicating severe danger to communities situated on steep slopes and in other vulnerable zones.

Emergency Response and Public Advisories

Residents in the designated high-risk districts have been instructed to remain on high alert, avoid non-essential travel, and prepare for immediate evacuation if conditions deteriorate further. The widespread disruption across multiple districts continues to challenge emergency response capabilities as the nation confronts one of its most severe weather emergencies in recent years.