The Jaffna district in Sri Lanka has been severely impacted by continuous torrential rains, leading to widespread flooding that has submerged key areas, including the Nallur temple. The floodwaters have caused major disruptions in daily life, including transportation and access to essential services. The Nallur temple, a significant cultural and religious landmark, has seen its premises inundated, creating further difficulties for local residents and visitors.
Disaster management authorities report that approximately 78,530 people, belonging to 23,786 families across the Northern Province, have been affected by the ongoing flooding. The Mannar district has been the hardest hit, with 61,674 individuals from 18,774 families suffering from the floods. The situation in Yapanaya district is also severe, where 9,642 people from 2,706 families have been impacted.
The Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts have also seen significant damage, with 2,750 people from 811 families in Kilinochchi and 4,664 people from 1,495 families in Mullaitivu being displaced due to the adverse weather conditions. In total, at least 75 houses across the Northern Province have been completely or partially damaged by the heavy rains, strong winds, and rising floodwaters.
The disaster management units have warned that the flood situation could worsen in the coming days as continuous rainfall persists. They emphasized that the scale of the damage may increase, with more families at risk as water levels continue to rise. The Northern Province has already seen a substantial number of roadways submerged, further hindering the movement of people and goods. Key roads, including those in and around Jaffna and the Nallur area, have been rendered impassable, while some areas have experienced power outages due to the flooding.
In response to the crisis, local authorities, including the District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariats, and security forces, have been actively involved in providing emergency assistance to those in need. Temporary shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced families, and relief efforts are ongoing to provide food, clean water, medical supplies, and other necessities to the affected population.
Given the worsening weather conditions, officials have issued further warnings, urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate and seek higher ground where possible. The disaster management teams continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating efforts to provide relief and prevent further casualties. The full extent of the damage will become clearer once the floodwaters recede, but the immediate priority remains the safety and well-being of those affected.
