Floods 2017 Sri Lanka floods

typical progression of monsoon across indian subcontinent. sri lanka island east of india s southern tip

the southwest monsoon typically peaks during late may beginning of june in sri lanka, prevailing winds south , southwest, streaming toward bay of bengal. areas receive heaviest rain south , west of country, including kalutara, ratnapura, , colombo. monsoon anticipated arrive after 14 may, owing below-normal water levels in region, not expected cause severe flooding.

parts of sri lanka received 300 mm – 500 mm of heavy monsoon rain in 24-hour period 25 may, resulting in widespread flooding. galle, coastal city, received 223 mm (8.8 in) , ratnapura experienced 453 mm (17.8 in) of rainfall during period of 27 30 may, leading severe inland flooding. on 27 may, area of convective thunderstorms in bay of bengal started converge, moving northeast , becoming cyclone mora on 28 may. cyclone mora later affected bangladesh , myanmar.

by evening of 25 may, national building research organisation (nbro) of sri lanka had issued level 3 red alert landslide warning districts of ratnapura, kegalle, galle, kalutara, matara, hambantota , nuwara eliya. areas within galle district became cut off due landslides. part of southern expressway closed, owing flooding between colombo , matara. kelani river, runs through sri lanka s largest city colombo, measured water level increase of 15.44 m (50.7 ft) 9:30 a.m. sri lanka time (15:00 utc) on 27 may, , peaked 28 may. of 29 may, bolgoda dam in panadura @ risk of collapse.

the death toll included @ least 45 school children. 1 june, around 95 people remained missing.