Six killed as torrential rain triggers landslides, floods across Sri Lanka
At least six persons were killed and three others injured as heavy rain, landslides and flash floods battered parts of Sri Lanka over the past two days, officials said on Tuesday (August 4, 2026). The adverse weather has affected five districts, with incessant downpours triggering landslides, flooding and strong winds, disrupting normal life and forcing nearly 1,900 people into relief centres.
Police reported that three women, aged 83, 58 and 47, and a 22-year-old man were killed when a mound of earth collapsed onto a house in the Polpitiya-Morahenagama area. In a separate incident, a 53-year-old man died after falling into the Mahaweli River while crossing a bridge on the Watawala-Gnanandagama road. A 67-year-old man was also killed after a mound of earth collapsed onto a roadside shop in Solangkanda Janaudana village in Nawalapitiya.
A 45-year-old man was reported missing after being swept away by flash floodwaters in the Ambagamuwa area of Ginigathena, police said. Search and rescue operations are under way, though officials said that the mountainous terrain has made it difficult for teams to reach some affected villages. Heavy machinery and specialised personnel have been deployed to clear blocked roads and assist in the search.
The central district of Nuwara Eliya recorded around 100 mm of rainfall, while authorities warned fishermen against venturing into the sea because of rough weather and strong winds. Schools across the Central Province remained closed on Tuesday as a precaution.
On Monday, authorities issued evacuation warnings for residents living along the Mahaweli and Kelani river basins due to the risk of flash floods. Most major reservoirs in the country had reached spill levels, officials said, raising concerns about further inundation downstream. The water management department is releasing excess water in a controlled manner, though downstream communities have been told to remain alert.
Landslides are a recurring hazard in Sri Lanka's central highlands, particularly during the southwest monsoon, which brings heavy rain between May and September. The region's steep terrain, combined with widespread deforestation and unplanned construction, has increased the vulnerability of hillside communities to slope failures. In the past, several devastating landslides have occurred in the area, causing significant casualties and damage to infrastructure.
The latest spell of extreme weather comes as Sri Lanka continues to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa in November, which killed nearly 640 people, affected around two million others and caused an estimated $4.1 billion in damage. The cyclone, one of the deadliest to hit the island, left thousands homeless and overwhelmed the country's disaster management systems. Relief operations in the aftermath are still ongoing in some regions.
Authorities have advised people in disaster-prone areas to remain vigilant and to cooperate with evacuation orders. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and community halls, with dry rations and drinking water being provided to affected families. Emergency services are on high alert, and the public has been urged to avoid crossing flooded bridges and to stay away from river banks and steep slopes.
The current spell of intense rain is in line with patterns observed in recent years, where extreme downpours have become more common during the monsoon season. Climate scientists have noted that warming seas and changing atmospheric conditions are contributing to more intense rainfall events across South Asia. Sri Lanka, already vulnerable to cyclones and landslides, is facing growing risks from such disasters.
