COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka floods intensified on Friday, pushing the death toll to 69, with another 34 people still missing, as continuous monsoon rains battered the island for a fifth straight day. According to officials, severe mudslides and flash floods have devastated several central districts, leaving entire communities cut off and forcing emergency teams to work around the clock.

Troops, Boats and Helicopters Deployed for Massive Rescue Operations

Sri Lankan troops, backed by helicopters and navy boats, expanded their operations as the Sri Lanka floods worsened. Rescue teams pulled stranded residents from treetops, rooftops, and remote villages swallowed by rising waters. Authorities said many victims were buried alive earlier in the week when unstable, waterlogged hills collapsed without warning.

Monsoon Rains Hammer the Island

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that some regions received over 360 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours, fueling fears of further landslides and river overflows. The Sri Lanka floods have disrupted transportation, damaged homes and farmland, and left thousands seeking shelters set up by local authorities.

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Kelani River Breaches Its Banks

The Kelani River—one of the island’s major waterways and a key urban flood indicator—overflowed on Friday, threatening more neighbourhoods near Colombo. With water levels rising rapidly, officials warned that the Sri Lanka floods could worsen if the heavy rains continue through the weekend.

Residents Flee as Water Rises

V. S. A. Ratnayake, 56, who fled his home in Kaduwela, said the situation reminded him of one of the worst disasters in local memory.
“I think this could be the worst flood in our area for three decades,” he said. “I remember a flood in the 1990s when my house was under seven feet of water. This feels dangerously close.”

Experts Warn of More Rain and Heightened Risk

Meteorologists said that the Sri Lanka floods are part of a strengthened monsoon pattern, intensified by seasonal atmospheric conditions. Officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate early, warning that saturated soil and overflowing rivers could trigger additional landslides.

Nationwide Appeal for Support

As emergency responders continue their efforts, the government has called on humanitarian agencies to support relief operations. With thousands displaced and property losses mounting, the Sri Lanka floods are shaping into one of the most severe natural disasters the island has faced in recent years.