Name: Sri Lanka residents question governments readiness for floods
Uploaded: 2025-12-05T02:04:55.585Z
Duration: 2 min 58 s
Description: Sri Lankans demand answers after the country’s worst climate disaster in 20 years leaves hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

Sri Lankans demand answers after the country’s worst climate disaster in 20 years leaves hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

Colombo

Severe flooding in Kaduala, a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, has left businesses and residents facing significant damage, with many questioning the government's preparedness and the timeliness of evacuation warnings. While authorities claim they issued alerts, experts note the unprecedented volume of water and highlight that some residents did not heed evacuation orders.

The disaster comes as Sri Lanka is still recovering from a major economic crisis and faces high debt repayments, making the cost of rebuilding substantial. President Anurag Kumar Adhisar Nayakar has appealed for international aid, and health officials are warning of increased risks of waterborne diseases as floodwaters recede.

Sri Lanka residents question government's readiness for floods

Kavitharana is not usually faced by floods. Working as an optician in Kaduala, a North Colombo suburb, he says this area close to the Kalani River risks flooding. But he didn't expect waters to rise more than three metres so quickly. The problem is that some machines are very heavy, so suddenly we can't take it out. Neighbouring businesses are similarly affected. Few shoes in this shop were spared the mud and sludge. This was the main street three days ago when we travelled through it on an army relief boat. Now waters have receded, leaving a trail of destruction. Many people are asking why the government wasn't better prepared for the disaster and why those at risk were not warned earlier. Authorities say they did raise the alarm. And disaster experts have told Al Jazeera the sheer volume of water was unexpected. People are also reported to have refused to heed government warnings to evacuate high-risk areas. Economist Dhananath Fernando says successive governments have not addressed the challenge of natural disasters. As a country we really haven't been looking at those risk impacts with the climate change over a period of time. As a result, always when we hit a crisis we are underprepared and as a result we have higher expenditure than expected and then it grows to a macroeconomic issue. Cyclone Dettwa couldn't have come at a worse time for Sri Lanka. It's already working to recover from its worst economic crisis and faces high repayments on its debt, while analysts say the cost of rebuilding will be significant. President Anurag Kumar Adhisar Nayakar has appealed for international aid and United Nations Assistant Secretary General Kani Bignarajah says Sri Lanka is in a good position. It's about making an offer with a commitment that our institutions are strong, that our governance systems are strong, there's accountability, there's a strong anti-corruption drive. These all make for a sense that the country has to come together, communities and national leadership. Money follows. Back in flooded areas, health staff are treating those affected by the floods and landslides. Al Jazeera filmed a clinic at this relief centre in Gothatur. I have high blood pressure and have had a heart attack. Everyone who needs to can see a doctor here. They also give us medicines. Rebuilding Sri Lanka will be painful and time consuming. But first, it has to overcome its immediate challenges. As the waters recede, health authorities are warning of the dangers of waterborne diseases like rat fever, diarrhoea and dengue fever. They are urging people to drink boiled or bottled water. But for many here, that may be a luxury. Minal Fernandez, Al Jazeera, Kaduala, Colombo.

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