As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of unprecedented adverse weather, more than 1.6 million people from nearly 460,000 families across 25 districts have been affected, according to the latest situation report from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) as of 2:00 p.m. on December 15.
The report highlights the scale of the tragedy, with 643 deaths and 183 missing persons recorded nationwide. Thousands of homes have been damaged, including 6,193 fully destroyed and 95,456 partially damaged residences. Kandy District has been hit hardest, with 237 deaths, 73 missing persons, and over 16,800 homes affected. Nuwara Eliya and Badulla have also recorded significant casualties, with 89 and 88 deaths respectively.
Amid the devastation, relief operations are in full swing. A total of 739 safety centres have been established, providing shelter to more than 71,000 individuals from 22,050 families. Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy districts have seen the largest influx of displaced people seeking temporary refuge.
The National Disaster Relief Services Centre, in coordination with district authorities, continues to deliver food, medical aid, and essential supplies to affected communities. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines, and support relief efforts where possible as adverse weather conditions persist.
“This is an unprecedented disaster, but our teams are working tirelessly to reach the most vulnerable and ensure basic necessities are met,” a DMC spokesperson said.
