Cyclone Arnab Affects 21,356 People

04-Nov-2026

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported that 21,356 people belonging to 5,800 families across 137 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 19 districts have been affected so far by adverse weather conditions and the impact of Cyclone Arnab.

The disasters recorded between October 23 and November 1 have claimed six lives and left eight people injured. Among the fatalities, a 56-year-old man in the Madampe area of Puttalam, a 50-year-old man in the Agalawatta area of Kalutara and a 36-year-old man in Ratnapura died due to flooding and drowning. In addition, three people have been reported missing in the Mullaitivu District.

As a result of the disasters, eight houses have been completely destroyed and another 737 have sustained partial damage. Meanwhile, 125 people belonging to 35 families have temporarily taken shelter in the homes of relatives.

The Ratnapura District has been the worst affected by the adverse weather, with 10,051 people belonging to 2,666 families affected across 15 Divisional Secretariat divisions.

Puttalam ranks second, with 6,900 people belonging to 1,850 families across 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions affected, the Disaster Management Centre stated.