Over 3,000 affected as Southwest Monsoon brings heavy rains and winds across Sri Lanka

Saturday, 31 May 2025 01:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday reported that a total of 3,345 individuals from 887 families have been affected by the adverse weather conditions currently gripping the island.

The inclement weather, following the activation of the Southwest Monsoon, which began to roughen up on the evening of Thursday (29), led to widespread rainfall and strong winds across multiple parts of the country.

According to the DMC’s Situation Report updated at 6 p.m. yesterday, a total of 12 districts in seven provinces have been impacted due to the severe weather. A total of seven individuals were reported as wounded, while 857 houses have been partially destroyed. Already, a total of 30 families and 129 individuals have been relocated to two safety locations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology issued an advisory for strong winds for Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and Trincomalee district. “Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and Trincomalee district due to the active south-west monsoonal condition. Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island,” it reads.

In addition, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued level 1 (yellow) warnings for potential landslide risk areas, which include Galle (Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD), Kalutara (Palindanuwara DSD), Kandy (Pasbage Korale and Ganga Ihala Korale DSDs) and Kegalle (Aranayake, Ruwanwella, Bulathkohupitiya and Yatiyantota DSDs). Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and adhere to safety instructions issued by DMC and the Department of Meteorology.