Sri Lanka - Severe weather and floods (media, Department of Meteorology Sri Lanka) (ECHO Daily Flash of 15 May 2026)

Country: Sri Lanka Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Over the past few days, severe weather and flooding have been affecting Sri Lanka, causing fatalities, displacement and extensive damage. Media reports dated 15 May indicate two deaths – one each in Batticaloa (Eastern Province) and Jaffna (Northern Province) – and the displacement of 1 310 people to eight temporary shelters. In total, around 4 000 individuals have been affected, most severely in Batticaloa and Jaffna, with partial damage reported to 88 homes. Schools have been closed and road closures are restricting movement and public transport. Showers or thundershowers are expected intermittently in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North‑Western and Northern provinces, as well as in the Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts, with isolated periods of heavy to very heavy rain. On 14 May, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has further issued amber (Level 2) landslide warnings for several locations across 6 districts and additional yellow warnings across 13 districts.

Original source: Relief Web