Sri Lanka: 486 Dead, 341 Missing & 1.8 Million Lives in Peril

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is reeling under one of its worst natural disasters in recent years, with 1,844,055 people across 519,842 families affected by severe floods and landslides sweeping through 25 districts.

The latest situation report from the Disaster Management Center (DMC) paints a grim picture: 486 confirmed deaths, 341 missing, and thousands displaced as torrential rains continue to batter the island.

The devastation is widespread. Kandy has recorded the highest death toll with 118 lives lost, followed by Badulla (83) and Nuwara Eliya (89). In addition, Kegalle reports 30 fatalities, while Kurunegala mourns 56 deaths.

The human tragedy deepens with 341 individuals still missing, most from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, where landslides have buried homes and roads.

Infrastructure damage is staggering. Over 2,303 houses have been completely destroyed, while 52,489 homes are partially damaged, leaving thousands homeless. Relief efforts are underway, with 1,231 safety centers sheltering 51,023 families—a total of 171,778 people seeking refuge.

Among the hardest-hit districts are Colombo (306,585 affected), Gampaha (322,342), and Puttalam (322,976), where floodwaters have submerged entire communities. In the north, Mannar faces severe inundation, displacing over 124,000 residents.

Emergency response teams are working round the clock to provide food, medical aid, and temporary shelter.