Over 90,000 affected in Mullaitivu as floods sever bridges and wipe out power

Flooding across Mullaitivu has forced thousands from their homes, severed major road links and left regions without electricity or telecommunications, as disaster officials warn that the true scale of damage remains unknown due to communication blackouts.

The Mullaitivu District Disaster Management Unit confirmed that at least two people are missing and that 2,808 people from 891 families have been moved into 24 temporary relief camps across the district. More than 1,000 additional families have taken shelter in the homes of relatives and friends.

By last night, the Disaster Management Unit reported:

•    Puthukudiyiruppu: 1,079 people from 351 families in five camps
•    Karaithuraipattu: 360 people from 118 families in seven camps
•    Manthai East: 516 people from 153 families in five camps
•    Thunukkai: 65 people from 27 families in one camp
•    Oddusuddan: 788 people from 242 families in six camps

The unit said the district is facing a complete breakdown in infrastructure. “There is no electricity, no telephone connections. All roads are impassable,” officials said, adding that the Nayaaru bridge has collapsed and the Vadduvakal bridge has suffered severe damage.

Government Agent: 4,594 in shelters, 5,400 more displaced

Mullaitivu District Government Agent A. Umamaheswaran said on Sunday that the crisis is far deeper than initial estimates. Addressing the media, he reported that 4,594 individuals from 1,550 families have been housed in 42 temporary camps. A further 5,400 people from over 2,000 families are staying with relatives.

He stressed that a “complete assessment has not yet been conducted” because the district had no electricity or telecommunication service for nearly two days. “Only on the 30th were these services partially restored,” he said, adding that full connectivity has yet to return.

More than 90,000 people from 30,000 families have been severely affected, with over 45,000 acres of agricultural land still under water. Umamaheswaran warned of a “strong possibility of total crop failure”.

Major tanks overflowing, key bridges cut off

Several major tanks – including Muthaiyankattu, Vavunikulam and Thannimurippu – are overflowing, causing widespread flooding. Travel between Kilinochchi and Paranthan has halted, and the collapse of the Nayaaru Bridge has cut off access to Kokkilai and Welioya.

In Oddusuddan, the Kodalikkallu tank under the Agrarian Services Department has been “completely destroyed”.

The Road Development Authority says temporary repairs to the Nayaaru Bridge may take around four days, while a complete new structure will ultimately be required. Work has already begun on the Vadduvakal bridge, with hopes that traffic may resume soon.

Electricity and telecommunications wiped out

Electricity had been cut across Mullaitivu with telecommunications towers also down, leaving residents unable to call for help despite severe flooding.

“No complete information regarding losses and damage has been officially released because electricity and telecommunication services have been out for more than 15 hours,” local officials said.

The Vadduvakal bridge remains entirely submerged, blocking the A35 route. The main Mullaitivu road from Puthabullavu via Keppapulavu is also entirely closed.

Journalist Sumanthan Selvaraja, using a Starlink connection, reported that residents are “facing danger that they cannot get essential needs and emergency assistance.”

Rescues continue as two remain missing

Umamaheswaran confirmed that 23 farmers who had gone missing during the floods returned safely on Saturday evening. However, two individuals engaged in reconstruction work at the Niththakai pond remain stranded. Rescue operations are ongoing but “extremely challenging”, he said.

Humanitarian needs escalate

Cooked meals are being provided in shelters, with volunteers, local officials and politicians assisting. Hospitals in remote areas remain flooded, forcing patients to be moved to Vavuniya, Anuradhapura or Jaffna with help from the tri-services.

With many roads still impassable and phone networks sporadically failing, authorities warn that the situation could deteriorate further if rains continue.