Sudden Flooding Devastates Communities in Sri Lanka’s Capital

Severe flooding in Sri Lanka has caught residents off guard, particularly those living along the banks of the Kelani River. On March 15, 2024, heavy rainfall upstream, exacerbated by Cyclone Ditwah, caused water levels to rise dramatically, inundating neighborhoods and forcing evacuations. Despite prior warnings, many residents underestimated the storm’s potential impact, leading to a rapid escalation of the crisis.

In Kolonnawa, a community situated on the northern outskirts of Colombo, the situation unfolded swiftly. Delivery driver Dinusha Sanjaya, 37, initially dismissed the flood alerts, believing he would only face minor water accumulation. Within an hour, however, his two-storey home was completely submerged. “I never thought the floods would be this bad,” he recounted while seeking refuge at Vidyawardana School, one of the makeshift shelters housing displaced residents.

Neighbour Fatima Rushna, 48, experienced a similar shock when water reached her bed shortly after midnight on Saturday. She and her husband, Mohamed Azmi, 50, had no time to gather belongings. “All we have are the clothes we are wearing,” she said, waiting for aid at the camp.

The floods have not only disrupted lives but have also severely impacted local economies. Nirushika, a 44-year-old seamstress, lamented the loss of her small sewing business, stating, “Both my sewing machines were lost.”

Evacuations were particularly challenging for elderly residents like C. V. Ariyaratne, 70, and his wife, Emalin, 65. Emalin suffers from scoliosis, making swift evacuation difficult. “We have been through floods, but this is even worse than what we experienced in 2016,” Ariyaratne said, recalling a disaster that claimed 71 lives nationwide.

Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts

The central hilly tea-growing region of Sri Lanka has faced the most devastation, with officials reporting that over 250 of the 340 confirmed deaths occurred there due to mudslides triggered by unprecedented rainfall, reaching over 500 millimeters in some areas. In response, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and committed to rebuilding efforts with international assistance.

Residents at the Kolonnawa camp expressed gratitude for the government’s initial relief efforts, which included dry rations provided by local volunteers. The school has become home for around 300 individuals, including 80 children under the age of 12. As the situation in Colombo begins to stabilize, many residents are stepping up to donate food and essential items to those in need.

According to government figures, nearly 200,000 people are currently residing in various shelters, while an additional 1.12 million require some form of assistance. The Irrigation Department has reported that water levels in Colombo have peaked and are expected to recede shortly. L. S. Sooriyabandara, Director of the Irrigation Department, stated, “Flood levels elsewhere have gone down substantially.”

Long-Term Implications of Climate Change

As communities begin to assess the damage, survivors like G. Patrick, 70, are left worrying about the future. He expressed his concerns about returning to his home, where he cares for his elderly, blind mother. “For me, the biggest problem is getting help for the clean-up,” he said.

This flooding event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of weather-related disasters, often linked to climate change. With warmer temperatures leading to more significant moisture retention in the atmosphere, experts warn that such extreme flooding events may become more common. The rapid escalation of the floods in Kolonnawa has left many questioning how best to prepare for future disasters.

The impact of this flooding in Sri Lanka underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response strategies. As the country grapples with the aftermath, the resilience of its communities will be tested, and the international community’s support will be crucial in aiding recovery efforts.