Severe floods in Sri Lanka kill over 30 as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah renews severe weather threat
Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka over the weekend have killed at least 31 people. The heavy rain and severe weather are likely to persist as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, formed on November 27, 2025, moves along the island’s eastern coast.
Students using trucks for transportation amid deadly flooding in Sri Lanka on November 27, 2025. Credit: DMC
Heavy rainfall began last week, prompting flood, thunderstorm, and heavy rain warnings across the island. Thus far, the severe weather has affected at least 4 000 families and left 31 people dead.
The Disaster Management Center (DMC) said 18 of the reported deaths occurred in the tea-growing, mountainous regions of Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya in the Central Province, about 300 km (186 miles) east of the capital, Colombo. Another 14 people were reported missing Thursday due to landslides in the same areas, the center said.
Multiple routes, including Kandy–Mahiyangana 18 Wanguwa Road and Badulla–Kandy Raja Road, were closed off until further notice due to the risk of landslides and flooding.
The Advanced Level Exams in the country were also postponed by the examination department on Thursday and Friday due to the severe weather.
Meanwhile, Cyclonic Storm Ditwah formed off the Sri Lankan Coast on November 27. As of 06:00 UTC, Ditwah’s center was located around 90 km (56 miles) south-southeast of Batticaloa and 120 km (75 miles) northeast of Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and 610 km (379 miles) south-southeast of Puducherry and 700 km (435 miles) south-southwest of Chennai in India.
While it won’t make landfall, the storm is forecast to move northward toward southeastern India before turning northeast and dissipating by Sunday or early Monday, November 30–December 1.
In Sri Lanka, parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Central & Uva provinces could see up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall through Thursday into Friday. Much of the remaining island is expected to receive around 100 mm (4 inches), according to the DMC.
Multiple flood warnings and severe weather alerts are active across the island, with winds of 60–70 km/h (37–43 mph).
“There is a possibility of flood-risk conditions developing in the low-lying areas along the following rivers within the next 48 hours, starting from November 27: Gal Oya, Mundeni Aru, Maduru Oya, Yan Oya, Mahaweli River, Heda Oya, Kubukkan Oya, Deduru Oya, Badulu Oya, Kala Oya, Kelani River, Maha Oya, and Nilwala River” said the DMC.
References:
1 Tropical Cyclone Advisory no. 11 for North Indian Ocean – IMD – November 27, 2025
2 More than 30 dead and 14 missing as heavy rains trigger landslides and floods in Sri Lanka – AP – November 27, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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