Sri Lanka Flood Safety Guide

Safe Travels After the Storm: Critical Post-Flood Cautions for Tourists in Sri Lanka (Nov 2025)

Don't let your guard down just because the rain stopped. From "Rat Fever" risks to safe travel zones, here is your essential safety guide for navigating Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah.

Flood images : Colombo

If you are currently in Sri Lanka, you have likely witnessed the intensity of Cyclone Ditwah. While the worst of the storm has passed, the days immediately following a flood are often the most critical for traveler safety.

The skies may be clearing, but the ground is saturated, and water levels in rivers like the Kelani are still high. Whether you are sheltering in a hotel in Colombo or planning to move toward the coast, the risks have shifted from "falling rain" to "standing water."

Here is a fact-based safety guide on navigating the next 72 hours in Sri Lanka, covering health risks, transport, and areas to avoid.

1. The Silent Threat: "Rat Fever" (Leptospirosis)

This is the number one health risk tourists underestimate after floods in Sri Lanka.

What is it? A bacterial disease spread through water contaminated by animal urine (often from displaced rodents).
The Risk: Walking through even ankle-deep floodwater can expose you if you have small cuts or scratches on your feet.
The Caution:
- Avoid wading: If a street is flooded, do not walk through it. Take a tuk-tuk or wait.
- Wash immediately: If you absolutely must step in floodwater, scrub your feet with soap and clean water immediately after.
- Watch for symptoms: High fever, muscle pain (especially in calves), and red eyes. If you feel this within 5-14 days of exposure, tell a doctor you were in Sri Lanka floodwaters. It is treatable if caught early.

2. The "Post-Rain" Mosquito Boom (Dengue)

Sri Lanka was already battling high dengue numbers in 2025; the receding floodwaters create millions of new breeding grounds.

The Reality: Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.
The Caution:
- Be hyper-vigilant about applying repellent (look for DEET or Picaridin) in the early morning and late afternoon.
- If your hotel room has no AC, ensure the mosquito net has no holes.

3. Road Travel: The Landslide Risk is Real

The Central Highlands (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Badulla) are beautiful, but they are currently the most dangerous regions due to landslides.

The Situation: The soil is unstable. A road that looks safe can collapse or be blocked by falling trees hours after the rain stops.
The Caution:
- Avoid the hills: If you can, delay travel to the hill country for another 48-72 hours.
- Daylight travel only: Never travel long distances at night right now. You need to be able to see obstacles on the road.
- Trust your driver: If your hired driver says a route is unsafe, believe them. Do not push them to take "shortcuts" through minor roads.

4. Food and Water Safety

Flooding often contaminates local water sources and tap lines.

Strictly Bottled Water: Do not brush your teeth with tap water this week. Use bottled water and check the seal before opening.
Cooked Food Only: Avoid raw salads or unpeeled fruits (like apples) that might have been washed in tap water. Stick to cooked, hot meals (curries are great because the heat kills bacteria).
Street Food: Be extra cautious with street food vendors who may not have access to clean running water for washing plates.

5. Current "Red Zones" vs. "Green Zones"

Based on reports from the Disaster Management Centre (Nov 30, 2025):

🔴 Avoid: Kelani River Banks (Colombo suburbs), Ratnapura, Badulla, and steep slopes in Kandy/Nuwara Eliya.
🟡 Caution: Galle/Matara (South Coast) - The towns are generally okay, but the roads getting theremight have disruptions. The Southern Expressway is your safest bet.
🟢 Safe: Deep South & East Coast (Arugam Bay) - Generally less affected by this specific cyclone path, though ocean currents remain rough.

6. Infrastructure: Be Prepared for Delays

Power: Expect intermittent power cuts as trees fall on lines. Keep your power banks charged whenever you have electricity.
Airport (BIA): The airport is open, but the roads leading to it (especially from Colombo) can be flooded. Leave 4 hours before your flight.
Trains: The hill country train lines (Kandy to Ella) are facing severe cancellations due to earth slips on the tracks. Check the station before heading out.