Schools in Sri Lanka's mountainous tea-growing regions were closed on Tuesday as intense rainfall triggered severe flooding and mudslides, leading to at least five deaths and three injuries, officials reported. The persistent downpours over the past two days have caused significant disruption across various parts of the island nation, inundating homes, agricultural fields, and roadways.
The central region, characterized by its hilly terrain, has borne the brunt of the extreme weather. According to the government's Disaster Management Center, five individuals perished after being trapped in mudslides that engulfed two residences in the central area. An additional three people sustained injuries, and two remain unaccounted for. The center's spokesperson, Pradeep Kodippili, confirmed these figures.
Flooding and rains have impacted 129 houses, prompting the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people. Navy and army personnel have been mobilized to assist in rescue operations, aiding those stranded by the floods and relocating them to safer locations. Local media broadcasts depicted scenes of troops and civilians working together to free individuals trapped in their homes, facing the imminent threat of mudflows.
Major thoroughfares in the central region have been obstructed by large rocks, mudslides, and fallen electricity poles, disrupting traffic. This latest disaster follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Ditwa in November, which devastated the country, causing approximately 640 fatalities, affecting two million people, and resulting in an estimated $4.1 billion in damages. The Central province was particularly hard-hit by the cyclone, and the government is currently engaged in efforts to reconstruct essential infrastructure such as roads, railways, and housing in the region. Mudslides and floods are recurring destructive natural disasters in Sri Lanka, inflicting substantial loss of life and property annually. Heavy monsoon rains are the primary cause of mudslides in the central highlands, while low-lying areas experience significant flooding, often necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents.