The Irrigation Department warns that from now and over the next 24 hours, a high-risk flood situation — at levels not experienced in recent history — may occur in low-lying areas of the Kelani Valley due to heavy rainfall and increased reservoir discharge The post Critical Warning: Kelani Valley Faces Flood Threat Never Seen in History appeared first on Newswire.
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The government has called for an urgent meeting headed by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya this evening and will discuss whether an international appeal should be made for assistance as thousands remain severely affected from the cyclonic storm.
The government has allocated Rs. 1.2 billion (one point two billion rupees) for disaster relief services, officials confirmed.
The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) has assured the public that it is taking all necessary, proactive steps to manage and mitigate the impact of the severe storm conditions, including Cyclone Ditwah, on operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The AASL said since 22:55 hrs yesterday (27), a total of 15 inbound aircraft have been safely diverted to alternative international airports, including Mattala (MRIA), Trivandrum, and Cochin, due to unsafe landing conditions at BIA. Issuing a statement, the AASL said that it has also registered 16 flight delays at BIA. The AASL further said that Mattala…
Sri Lanka is facing a serious national disaster right now, with floods, landslides and severe transport disruptions affecting daily life across many districts. With conditions changing quickly, it’s important for all of us to stay informed, stay calm and stay prepared. I’ve put together this advisory to help families and individuals navigate the next few days safely and responsibly.
The Department of Irrigation has extended the flood warnings issued to the Gal Oya Basin and the Mee Oya Basin due to heavy rainfall experienced in the areas. Accordingly, the flood warning issued for the Gal Oya Basin yesterday has been extended for a further 48 hours. Therefore, residents living in the affected areas are requested to remain highly alert and take necessary measures to ensure their safety in the event of possible flood conditions. Furthermore, the flood warning issued for the Mee Oya Basin yesterday has been extended for a further 48 hours. Therefore, residents living in the affected…
The Meteorology Department announced that Cyclonic Storm Ditwah [pronounced Dit-wah] is currently positioned approximately 50 kilometres south of Trincomalee.
Sri Lanka experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6.00 a.m. today (28 November 2025), with Gammaduwa in the Matale District recording the highest rainfall at 540.6 mm, according to official observations.
The Ministry of Transport says the Kaduwela Exit of the Southern Expressway for vehicles coming from Kadawatha is inundated. The ministry said that motorists are urged to use alternative routes. Meanwhile, the Road Development Authority says traffic on the Southern Expressway has been restricted to one lane due to an unsafe situation. As such, traffic on the Southern Expressway will be restricted to one lane from Kahathuduwa towards Colombo. (Newswire) The post Extreme weather : Traffic restricted on Southern Expressway appeared first on Newswire.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed District Secretaries and Chairpersons of District Development Committees to carry out rescue and relief operations without allowing financial constraints to delay assistance to affected communities. The directive was issued during a special virtual meeting held this morning (28) via Zoom with District Secretaries and Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees, as Sri Lanka continues to battle severe weather and its aftermath. The President said Rs. 1.2 billion has already been released for disaster relief and a further Rs. 30 billion has been allocated under the 2025 Budget for emergency response, urging officials to act immediately…
A diplomatic briefing under the aegis of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was held at the Prime Minister’s Office today to brief Colombo-based Heads of Mission on the Government’s ongoing emergency flood-relief operations and recovery efforts. According to the Foreign Ministry, all Heads of Mission and Posts of Sri Lanka’s Diplomatic Missions abroad join the meeting virtually. The briefing focused on ensuring the safety and security of the affected communities and outlined the immediate and aftermath recovery measures. Most diplomatic missions based in Colombo have expressed their solidarity and support for the Government of Sri Lanka during this challenging time. Missions…
Special message from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake I Joined in a special virtual discussion this morning (28) via Zoom with District Secretaries and Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees to review the necessary steps in response to the emergency disaster situation that has arisen across the country due to adverse weather conditions. I informed the District Secretaries that Rs. 1.2 billion has already been allocated for disaster relief efforts and an additional Rs. 30 billion has been reserved in the 2025 Budget for emergency needs. Therefore, they should proceed with rescue and relief operations without allowing any financial constraints to impede…
A total of 56 people have died, 21 are missing, and 14 have been injured due to incidents caused by Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
Director General of the Department of Irrigation, Ajith Gunasekara, has warned that ongoing rainfall could lead to flooding from the Kelani River worse than what was experienced in 2016. Based on current water levels recorded at Avissawella, he said Colombo is likely to face a significantly higher volume of floodwater by tomorrow night. “It is unlikely this situation will change. We expect the Kelani River’s water levels to exceed those recorded during the 2016 floods,” Gunasekara said during a special media briefing on the response to the current disaster situation. He urged residents in vulnerable areas, particularly in Colombo, to…
Traffic disruptions have been reported on several roads in Colombo due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. According to the Police, traffic disruptions have occurred due to flooding and tree falls. As such, the affected roads are; Premasiri Kemadas Mawatha near the Lionel Wendt Theatre and Kepitipola Mawatha Near Entrance 04 of the Colombo National Hospital Elvitigala Mawatha Queens Road Junction Armour Street Junction Motorists have been requested to use alternative routes. (Newswire) The post Traffic disruptions reported on Colombo Roads appeared first on Newswire.
India has agreed to deploy helicopters from its aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, currently docked in Colombo, to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing rescue and relief operations as Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” triggers severe weather across the island. The assistance comes following a formal request by Sri Lankan authorities amid worsening flood and emergency conditions. The post India deploys INS Vikrant Helicopters for Sri Lanka Flood Rescue Operations appeared first on Newswire.
The Irrigation Department have issued warnings of a potential major flood situation in low-lying areas of the Kelani River Valley over the next 48 hours, as heavy rainfall continues in upstream regions.
The eye of Cyclone Ditwah is currently located approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Trincomalee, the Department of Meteorology said today. Speaking on the latest developments during a special media briefing on the current situation, Director General Athula Karunanayake said that the cyclone has made landfall and is moving in a north-northwest direction. As a result, heavy rainfall is expected across the country, with varying intensity depending on the region. Rainfall exceeding 200 mm is forecast today in the Northern, North Central, Western, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, he said. Meanwhile Galle, Matara, and Badulla districts may receive over 150 mm, while areas…
Sri Lanka has experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall across multiple regions over the past 24 hours.
Sri Lanka Air Force says the Bell 212 helicopter from the No 07 Squadron at the base in Hingurakgoda has completed 03 rescue missions up to date today. According to the Air Force, 13 individuals stranded on the Manamoitiya Bridge in Polonnaruwa have been rescued. The rescue operations have been conducted amidst the inclement weather experienced in Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post Air Force rescues 13 stranded on Polonnaruwa Bridge appeared first on Newswire.