Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Over 40 Lives in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is grappling with a severe natural disaster as relentless heavy rains have triggered widespread floods and landslides, claiming the lives of over 40 people. The extreme weather, which intensified over the past weekend, has brought the nation to a standstill in several regions, prompting authorities to halt train services and close critical roadways.
Human Toll and Affected Regions
The country's Disaster Management Centre reported that the mountainous, tea-growing areas of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya in central Sri Lanka, located approximately 300km east of the capital Colombo, bore the brunt of the tragedy, accounting for 25 of the confirmed fatalities. In these same affected zones, 21 individuals remain unaccounted for due to devastating landslides, while another 10 people sustained injuries.
Widespread Disruption and Rescue Efforts
Across the island, the deluge has wreaked havoc, inundating homes, agricultural fields, and major transportation arteries. Swollen reservoirs and rivers have burst their banks, further exacerbating the flooding and rendering several key inter-provincial routes impassable.
Transport infrastructure has faced severe disruption. Train services in the mountainous regions were suspended after tracks were blocked by rockfalls, mudslides, and fallen trees. Local media footage showed crews working tirelessly to clear the debris, while in other areas, railway lines were completely submerged.
Dramatic rescue operations have been underway, with an air force helicopter shown airlifting three people from a house roof surrounded by floodwaters. The navy and police have also deployed boats to assist with resident evacuations. A particularly tragic incident near the eastern town of Ampara, about 410km east of Colombo, saw a car swept away by the torrents, resulting in the deaths of its three passengers.
Historical Context and Climate Change Concerns
This recent catastrophe marks the highest weather-related death toll in Sri Lanka since June last year, when 26 lives were lost to heavy rains. Prior to that, December saw 17 fatalities from similar flooding and landslides. The worst recorded flooding this century occurred in June 2003, which claimed a staggering 254 lives.
While Sri Lanka relies heavily on seasonal monsoon rains for essential irrigation and hydroelectric power, experts are increasingly warning that the nation faces a future of more frequent and intense flood events, a direct consequence of the ongoing global climate crisis.