The death toll from weather disasters across Sri Lanka has climbed to 212, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
The highest fatalities have been reported from the Badulla District, with 71 deaths, followed by Kandy (52 deaths). At least 218 individuals remain unaccounted for as search and relief operations continue across multiple districts. Other districts reporting significant losses include Matale, Ampara, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Colombo, Mannar, Puttalam, and Kurunegala.
As of yesterday evening, 1,094 safety centres were operational nationwide, sheltering over 147,000 people displaced by the disaster. Authorities continue to warn of unstable conditions in several high-risk areas, as emergency teams, supported by the military and police, work to reach cut-off communities, restore access roads, and assist affected families.
Consultant paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera highlighted the heightened risk of infectious diseases among children due to the ongoing floods. He warned that diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, influenza, and other cold-weather illnesses tend to increase during such disasters. Once floodwaters recede, diseases like dengue and chikungunya may also emerge.
Dr. Perera urged special attention to leptospirosis (rat fever), advising anyone exposed to floodwater who develops prolonged fever or eye discoloration to seek immediate medical care. He emphasised the importance of clean food and drinking water, particularly in camps, noting that contaminated water can be life-threatening.
“For children, home remedies like ORS (Jeevanee), porridge, lime, orange, woodapple, banana, king coconut water, and yoghurt can help manage diarrhea. Vaccinated children are better protected against illnesses like measles and cough. There’s no need to panic; preventive medication such as a single 200 mg doxycycline tablet can protect against rat fever after flood water exposure,” he said.
The Kandy city is facing an acute water shortage as the Gatambe water pumping station, which supplies the city, suffered severe damage due to flooding caused by the overflow of the Mahaweli Ganga. Officials from the Kandy Municipal Council’s Urban Water Department said normal water supply would not be restored until the pumping station was repaired.
The shortage has severely affected the Kandy National Hospital, where patients and staff are struggling to access drinking water. Deputy Director Dr. Ravindra Welivita stated that the Air Force had committed to supplying bottled drinking water continuously, and several private institutions have also pledged support.
Meanwhile, members of the public have reported that some traders are exploiting the crisis, selling bottled water that normally costs Rs. 35 at prices as high as Rs. 100, further worsening their hardships.
by Norman Palihawadane, Chaminda Silva and Shantha Samaranayake