Seven Killed in Landslides Triggered by Heavy Rain

28-Nov-2025

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Adverse weather in Kandy District caused landslides in Pathahewaheta, affecting houses in Methagam Pallagam and Udumbara Mahawela, killing seven people. 

The Methagam Pallagam victims were a husband and wife, and the Mahawela victims were a father and son. 

One of the Mahawela victims was an 18-year-old school student. Several homes in Udumbara, Gangod, were also affected, with at least 15 people feared buried.

At night of November 27, a hillside collapsed behind a house in Pallagam, burying the couple’s room entirely. 

The victims were identified as Herath Mudiyanselage Kamini Herath (76) and Jambukkahageder Podi Menike (78). 

Locals tried to rescue them for two hours but found them deceased. Police reached the site two hours late due to blocked roads. Their bodies were sent to Kandy National Hospital for postmortem.

Approximately 10 houses in Udumbara Gangod Grama Sevaka Division were affected, and joint rescue operations involving the army, police, and locals are ongoing. 

Landslides along the Kandy–Matale railway at Yatiravana have severely disrupted train operations. 

Additionally, landslides and large boulders on the main Kandy–Mahiyangana road between Udumbara and Hunnasgiriya have temporarily closed the road.

Due to heavy rain, all reservoirs at Kothmale, Polgolla, Victoria, Randeniya, and Randampe are overflowing, according to the Mahaweli Authority.