More than 31,000 people across Sri Lanka have been affected by worsening weather conditions, as the southwest monsoon intensifies ahead of its full establishment, raising fears of renewed flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned.

The DMC has said 31,072 individuals from 7,983 families have already been impacted by persistent rain, strong winds and rising water levels across multiple districts, with the situation most severe in the Gampaha District where 15,313 people from 3,950 families have been affected and one death reported.

Officials have cautioned that the scale of disruption could worsen as the southwest monsoon is expected to fully establish over the island around May 26–27, bringing heavier and more sustained rainfall to the southwestern region.

At present, 18 safety centres are in operation, sheltering 1,724 displaced persons from 446 families. One person has been injured and 859 houses have been partially damaged. Two houses have been destroyed.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast increased rainfall over the coming days, warning that conditions are likely to deteriorate further as monsoon activity strengthens.

Flood-hit areas remain widespread, with river systems still under pressure despite a brief easing in rainfall on Saturday. The Kelani River has returned to normal levels, but minor flooding persists along the Kalu River basin, particularly in the Millakanda area, where tributary water levels remain elevated.

Low-lying areas in Bellapitiya, Horana, continue to be inundated, while traffic on the Bulathsinhala–Kalutara road remains disrupted due to flooding in Diyakaduwa. Authorities have also flagged continued risk in Putupawula and Ellagawa along the Kalu River.

The Attanagalu Oya basin is also slowly receding, though residents in Dunamale have been urged to remain on alert. Several homes in Ja-Ela remain underwater, with residents alleging that delayed repairs to a damaged canal embankment worsened the flooding.

In a fresh blow to infrastructure, the Swarna Hansa Podi Ela bridge in Ja-Ela collapsed on Saturday evening, further disrupting local transport links, while the main Ja-Ela–Gampaha bus route remains submerged in parts of Yakkaduwa.

Meteorologists have warned that rainfall is expected to intensify again from May 26 to 28, when the southwest monsoon is likely to be formally declared over Sri Lanka, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides in already saturated areas.

by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva