The island nation of Sri Lanka is currently grappling with one of its most severe natural disasters in years, as torrential rainfall, triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, has caused catastrophic floods and deadly landslides across multiple regions. This SEO-optimised blog post provides the latest, critical information on the crisis, the devastating impact, and how local and international efforts are responding.
⚠️ Unprecedented Flooding: Key Statistics and Impact Zones
The extreme weather, intensified by Cyclone Ditwah which is part of the ongoing northeast monsoon season, has led to a major humanitarian crisis. Authorities have described the situation in the Western Province as "unprecedented."
Current Impact Figures (As of November 29, 2025):
| Metric | Latest Count/Status |
| Confirmed Death Toll | Rising, reported 123 |
| Missing Persons | At least 130 declared missing, mostly due to landslides. |
| Affected Individuals | Over 200,000 people affected. |
| Displaced Persons | Over 18,000 people evacuated and sheltering in emergency centres. |
| Worst-Hit Areas | Central Hill Regions (Badulla, Nuwara Eliya), Western Province (Colombo, Gampaha), and low-lying areas along major rivers. |
Areas Under Red Alert & High Risk
- Colombo and Gampaha Districts (Western Province): Facing a severe threat from the rising Kelani River and Attanagalu River. A Red-Level Flood Warning is in place for the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley.
- Central Highlands: Districts like Badulla and Nuwara Eliya have been severely impacted by landslides, which account for a high number of the casualties. Rainfall in some areas exceeded 360mm in 24 hours.
- Downriver Areas: Floodwaters are still rising in coastal towns and areas downriver of major reservoirs, including Negombo.
🌊 Breakdown of the Disaster: Floods, Landslides, and Infrastructure Damage
The scale of the disaster is compounding humanitarian challenges, making rescue and relief efforts exceptionally difficult.
Landslides Devastation
The mountainous tea-growing regions in the Central Province have been the hardest hit by landslides, which have tragically buried homes and cut off entire villages. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned that landslides could occur at any moment due to the saturated soil.
Critical Infrastructure Damage
- Transport Disruption: Passenger train services have been stopped in multiple areas as rocks, mud, and trees have fallen onto tracks. Several key roads connecting provinces are closed due to flooding or debris.
- Bridge Collapse: Multiple major bridges, including the Moragahakanda Main Bridge, have been washed away, isolating communities and severely hindering the delivery of essential supplies.
- Power Outages: Widespread power disruptions are affecting an estimated 25% to 30% of the affected regions.
Threat to Livelihoods
The floods have caused significant damage to agricultural lands, including paddy and vegetable fields, severely impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and raising concerns about food security, particularly in the already vulnerable North Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces.
🚁 Rescue and Relief Operations: A Race Against Rising Waters
The Sri Lankan government, led by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), has mobilised an extensive response.
- Military Deployment: The Sri Lankan Army, Navy, and Air Force are engaged in large-scale rescue operations, using helicopters and navy boats to evacuate stranded residents from rooftops, trees, and marooned villages. Over 20,500 army personnel have been deployed nationwide.
- Shelter and Aid: Thousands of affected families have been moved to 195 emergency shelters. The government has appealed to Sri Lankan expatriates and foreign nationals to contribute to the disaster relief fund.
- International Support: Neighboring countries are extending aid. India has launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu,' transporting the first tranche of relief materials via naval ships to assist the cyclone victims.
❓ Is it Safe to Travel to Sri Lanka? (Travel Advisory Update)
The situation is dynamic and severe weather conditions are prevalent.
- Check Flight Status: Several international flights to Colombo have been diverted. Travellers are strongly advised to check the status of their flights directly with the airline.
- Local Travel Disruption: Non-essential travel to affected areas, especially the Western Province (Colombo/Gampaha) and the Central Highlands, is strongly discouraged due to road closures and safety risks.
- Official Advice: Monitor updates from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology and follow local advice. The Sri Lanka Tourism 24-hour hotline is 1912.
🙏 How You Can Help
Local and international organizations are on the ground providing immediate relief. Donations for shelter, food, potable water, and healthcare support are urgently needed for the displaced families.
- Look for reputable local and international aid organizations currently active in Sri Lanka's flood relief efforts.
- Contribute to the government's official disaster relief fund (details typically available through the Ministry of Finance or Embassy websites).
This is a developing situation. We will update this post as more information becomes available.
If you are a resident in an affected area, please heed all evacuation orders immediately and call the DMC hotline 117 for assistance.
Here are the official government bank account details for the Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund, as announced by the President's Media Division, alongside information for a reputable international organization:
🏛️ Official Sri Lanka Government Disaster Relief Fund
The Government of Sri Lanka, through the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury (DST), has established dedicated accounts to receive contributions from overseas Sri Lankans, foreign nationals, and local donors.
1. For Overseas Donors (USD)
| Detail | Information |
| Account Name | Central Bank of Sri Lanka |
| Account No. | 021083514 |
| Swift Code | CBCELKLX |
| Beneficiary's Bank | Federal Reserve Bank, New York |
| Swift Code of Beneficiary's Bank | FRNYUS33 |
| Mandatory Remark | Credit to DST's Dollar A/C 45013 |
| Detail | Information |
| Account Name | Deputy Secretary to the Treasury |
| Bank | Central Bank of Sri Lanka |
| Account No. | 50516 |
| Swift Code | CBCELKLXXXX |
| Detail | Information |
| Account Name | Deputy Secretary to the Treasury |
| Account No. | 2026450 |
| Bank | Bank of Ceylon |
🌍 Reputable International Aid Organization
If you prefer to donate through a well-known international platform that channels funds to multiple local relief partners on the ground, organizations like GlobalGiving often manage verified disaster relief funds:
Organization: GlobalGiving
Project: Support Sri Lanka Flood Relief (Project #28212)
Donation Methods: Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, and Check.
Link: It is always recommended to search for "GlobalGiving Sri Lanka Flood Relief" directly on their official website to ensure you are on the correct, secure page.
🛑 Safety Note: When donating, please verify all bank details through official government sources like the President's Media Division (PMD) or the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) websites to protect yourself from potential fraud.
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