Overview of the Recent Heavy Rain Disaster in Sri Lanka
The recent heavy rains, exacerbated by Cyclone Ditwah (which made landfall on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on November 28, 2025), have caused widespread flooding, landslides, and destruction across the island. As of November 30, 2025, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports a death toll of at least 153, with 191 people still missing. Over 500,000 people have been affected nationwide, including more than 20,000 homes destroyed and approximately 108,000 displaced into nearly 800 relief centers. The crisis has impacted 20 out of Sri Lanka’s 25 administrative districts, with severe effects in central, eastern, western, and southern regions.
Total Cities and Villages Damaged
Sri Lanka’s administrative structure uses districts (25 total, each containing multiple Divisional Secretariat areas or DS divisions, which encompass urban and rural localities), Pradeshiya Sabhas (local councils covering towns and villages), and Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNs) (the smallest units, often representing individual villages or neighborhoods, totaling over 14,000 nationwide).
- Districts affected: 20 out of 25 (80% of the country). These include Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Monaragala. The worst-hit are Badulla (landslides), Colombo suburbs (flooding), and Nuwara Eliya (tea estate areas).
- Specific localities damaged: Reports confirm damage to at least 150+ villages and towns (including urban outskirts classified as “cities” in local contexts, such as Wellampitiya, Kaduwela, Malwana, Kelaniya, and Hanguranketha). For example:
- In Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts alone, landslides have buried or isolated over 50 villages in tea-growing hill country.
- Colombo District: Flooding has damaged 20+ urban villages/towns along the Kelani River (e.g., Biyagama, Wattala).
- Eastern districts (e.g., Batticaloa, Ampara): Submerged 30+ coastal villages.
- This is a conservative estimate based on aggregated reports; the DMC’s situation updates indicate over 1,000 GNs (equivalent to small villages or neighborhoods) partially or fully damaged, but exact city/village breakdowns are not always separated in public reports.
The total number of cities and villages damaged is estimated at over 200, drawing from the scale of affected families (over 60,000) and submerged localities. Entire communities in low-lying and hilly areas remain cut off, with roads blocked and power disrupted in 25-30% of the island. Rescue efforts continue, supported by international aid from India, Pakistan, and others.
| Category | Number Affected/Damaged | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Districts | 20/25 | Island-wide red alerts; central and western regions hardest hit. |
| Homes Destroyed | >20,000 | Primarily in rural villages; urban fringes also impacted. |
| People Affected | >500,000 | Includes 798,000 temporarily displaced. |
| Villages/Towns (Estimate) | 150–250+ | Based on 1,000+ GNs; includes isolated hill villages and Colombo suburbs. |
| Relief Centers | ~800 | Housing 108,000 displaced people. |
For the most precise updates, refer to the Sri Lanka DMC’s official situation reports, as numbers evolve with ongoing assessments. Relief efforts focus on evacuation and aid distribution amid receding but still hazardous waters.