At least 31 people have died in floods and landslides across Sri Lanka this week, authorities said on Thursday. Another 14 are reported missing. Most fatalities occurred in the central tea-growing district of Badulla, where 16 people were buried when mountain slopes collapsed onto their homes.
Four more people died in similar landslides in the adjoining Nuwara Eliya district. Remaining deaths were reported in other parts of the country. Nearly 400 homes were damaged, and more than 1,100 families were moved to temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
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The DMC warned that river levels are rising and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. Heavy rains have been caused by the northeast monsoon and a depression east of the island. Some areas in the northeast are expected to receive up to 250 millimetres of rain on Thursday.
The government suspended final-year school examinations nationwide for two days due to the severe weather. This week’s toll is the highest since June 2024, when 26 people died in floods and landslides. In December last year, floods and landslides killed 17 people.
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Experts have warned that Sri Lanka faces more frequent floods due to climate change. The country relies on seasonal monsoon rains for irrigation and hydroelectricity, making heavy rains a persistent hazard for communities across the island.