Over 998,000 people affected by severe weather

Monday, 1 December 2025 04:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Flood aftermath in Kandy - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

Over 330 dead, 370 missing
Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam and Mannar among worst affected
Badulla and Kandy report highest fatalities

At least 334 people have died and 370 remain missing, according to the latest situation reports issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), which show a sharp rise in casualties since the figures released earlier in the day.

The update comes against the backdrop of the DMC’s 4.00 p.m. situation report on 30 November, which detailed the scale of island-wide displacement and damage recorded up to that point.

The DMC has reported that 998,918 people across 25 districts have been affected by the ongoing severe weather conditions linked to Cyclone Ditwah, with the number of displaced individuals continuing to rise as flood levels and ground instability persist. According to the DMC Situation Report issued at 4 p.m. on 30 November 2025, the total number of affected families has climbed to 273,606, with 51,228 families – or 180,499 persons – currently sheltered in 1,275 safety centres operating nationwide.

The death toll stands at 212, while 218 people remain missing, the DMC said.

The Colombo District recorded the highest number of affected persons, with 174,255 individuals from 40,740 families, followed by Gampaha with 211,719 persons from 55,356 families, and Puttalam with 135,922 persons from 36,098 families.

Mannar reported 79,946 affected persons, while Kurunegala recorded 34,679, and Trincomalee 54,107 persons impacted by flooding, landslides, and storm-related damage.

The Badulla District recorded the highest number of deaths at 71, followed by Kandy with 66. Matale reported 20 deaths, Trincomalee and Ampara each recorded eight, and Kurunegala reported 19 deaths. Nuwara Eliya recorded six fatalities, the report said.

The DMC noted that large-scale displacement continues even though the cyclone has moved on.

Safety centres are hosting large populations in several districts, including:

Bullets

*Gampaha: 4,921 families (19,458 persons)
*Colombo: 3,492 families (17,222 persons)
*Puttalam: 3,007 families (11,221 persons)
*Polonnaruwa: 5,560 families (16,313 persons)
*Mannar: 11,230 families (35,505 persons)

The DMC noted that additional shelters may be opened if conditions deteriorate further, particularly in districts experiencing ongoing rainfall and rising reservoir levels.

The DMC stated that assessments are ongoing and figures may be revised as teams gain access to remote or inundated areas. The agency urged residents in high-risk zones to comply with evacuation orders and remain alert to official warnings.