Adverse Weather Affects Over 440,000 Across the Island

As of 6:00 AM today (November 29), 13 deaths have been confirmed, with one person missing and 20 injured.

The adverse weather has caused extensive damage to homes, with 102 completely destroyed and 2,096 partially damaged. 115,319 people from 45,329 families are sheltering with relatives, while 38,616 individuals from 12,348 families have been relocated to 347 designated safe locations.

The Irrigation Department has extended flood warnings for rivers including Mahaweli Ganga, Heda Oya, Deduru Oya, and Mundeniyaru for the next 48 hours. Residents in low-lying areas are urged to stay vigilant.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for 70 Divisional Secretariat Divisions across nine districts.

Red evacuation notices, valid until 4:00 p.m. today (November 29), have been issued for 25 divisions in Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya districts as follows,

Kandy District: Medadumbara, Udadumbara, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Pathahewaheta, Harispattuwa, Pathadumbara, Yatinuwara, Delthota, Gangawatakorale, Udapalatha, Kegalle District: Aranayaka, Mawanella, Yatiyanthota, Matale District: Ukuwela, Ambangangakoralaya, Naula, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta, Pallepola, Matale, Rattota, Laggala, Pallegama, Nuwara Eliya District: Walapane.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena, assured the public that efforts are underway to repair damaged roads.

A total of 3,183 personnel from the armed forces and police are actively involved in relief efforts. They are using 239 boats, 111 unicorn vehicles, 40 tractors, 64 trucks, six aircraft, and eight drones to assist affected communities.

The Meteorology Department forecasts a gradual reduction in heavy rainfall starting today, providing some hope for relief in affected areas.