Sri Lanka sends soldiers as floodwaters increase, death toll reaches 56

Sri Lanka has deployed its armed forces to assist with rescue and relief efforts as the death toll from widespread floods and landslides reached 56, with 21 others reported missing. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed that helicopters, navy vessels, and thousands of troops are actively evacuating affected residents across multiple regions.

Heavy rainfall has impacted the islands entire 65,000-square-kilometre (25,000-square-mile) area, with some areas recording up to 360 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours, the DMC reported. Authorities warned that the Kelani River, flowing near the capital Colombo into the Indian Ocean, could overflow its banks later on Friday, urging residents to seek higher ground.

V. S. A. Ratnayake, 56, a resident of Kaduwela near Colombo, described the situation: I think this may be the worst flood in our area in thirty years. I remember a flood in the 1990s when water reached seven feet in my house.

The military has deployed over 20,000 troops, and the navy is assisting in evacuations and debris clearance. Of the confirmed fatalities, 26 people were buried alive by landslides in Badulla district, a central tea-growing region. Additionally, 21 individuals remain missing and 14 are hospitalized. Floods and landslides have damaged nearly 3,000 homes, and approximately 15,000 people have been moved to temporary shelters.

In northern Anuradhapura district, an Air Force Bell 212 helicopter rescued a man stranded on a coconut tree as waters rose. Military-released footage shows similar operations taking place across the country.

The DMC forecast further rainfall, while Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move from northern Sri Lanka towards Tamil Nadu in southern India by Sunday. Officials warned that flood levels could surpass those seen in 2016, when 71 people died nationwide.

M. A. Madushantha, 38, whose home is on the banks of the Kelani River, described evacuating his family: I sent my wife and children to her sisters house last night because we anticipated the floodwaters rising.

In Ruwanwella, central Sri Lanka, a stranded woman identified as Akma reported being trapped upstairs in her two-storey home, with floodwaters covering the ground floor. She said six people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old child, were at risk if the water continued to rise.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake confirmed that 60 Indian tourists stranded in central Sri Lanka were safely relocated to Colombo. The DMC noted that while Sri Lanka is in its northeast monsoon season, Cyclone Ditwah has intensified rainfall. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of severe floods, affecting irrigation and hydroelectric production.

The government has suspended final-year school exams for two days and granted civil servants a day off. Parliament also paused its budget debate so legislators could return to their constituencies to manage flood-related damage. This weeks fatalities mark the highest weather-related toll since June of the previous year, when 26 people died. In December, floods and landslides claimed 17 lives, while the deadliest flooding this century occurred in June 2003, killing 254 people.

Analysis: Sri Lanka's Struggle with Deadly Floods and Landslides

The recent devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have highlighted the growing challenges the island nation faces in managing natural disasters. With 56 confirmed deaths, 21 missing, and thousands displaced, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming. The deployment of armed forces, including 20,000 military personnel and naval assistance, emphasizes the severity of the crisis. Helicopters and navy vessels are being used in large-scale evacuations, but the situation remains precarious, especially with more rainfall expected. The Kelani River, which flows through Colombo, poses a major risk of overflowing, potentially exacerbating the already dire situation.

This disaster is particularly concerning as it marks the highest toll from weather-related events since June of the previous year. The impact of the floods and landslides is not only tragic in terms of lives lost but also in terms of the damage to infrastructure. Nearly 3,000 homes have been destroyed, and almost 15,000 people have been forced into temporary shelters. The ongoing rescue operations are vital, yet with Cyclone Ditwah approaching, the situation is expected to worsen. Experts have also raised alarms about the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events, a trend attributed to climate change.

As Sri Lanka battles this catastrophic event, the country's preparedness and response mechanisms will face further scrutiny. Despite the efforts of the Disaster Management Centre and military personnel, the vulnerability of the region to floods and landslides remains a long-term challenge. With ongoing concerns over climate change, it is crucial that Sri Lanka invests in more robust disaster prevention and response systems, including better flood control infrastructure and climate resilience programs. The recovery process will require not only immediate relief but also long-term planning to reduce future risks.

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• Sri Lanka deploys troops as floodwaters rise, death toll hits 56