RFM Suhel – Nuwara Eliya
From 27 November 2025 at 6.30 PM to 30 November 2025 at 1.30 PM, internet and telephone connections across the Nuwara Eliya district and surrounding areas—including Gampola, Welimada, and Nawalapitiya—were completely disrupted for 67 hours, making all communication impossible.
The Nuwara Eliya Disaster Management Unit reported that numerous disasters occurred during this period due to landslides and flooding at several entry points to Nuwara Eliya city and nearby areas such as Nanuoya, Meepilimana, and Shanthipura.
With no ability to report accidents or request essential relief services during this nearly 70-hour blackout, both the public and government officials—including the police—faced severe difficulties.
As of 30 November 2025 at 1.30 PM, only telephone services have been restored, while service providers have stated that it will take additional time to fully restore internet connectivity.
Due to the communication breakdown, residents of Nuwara Eliya were forced to rely on vehicles and passers-by to deliver messages, report emergencies, and seek assistance for rescue operations.
Four houses located on the old railway line near the Blackpool–Nanu Oya Bridge were completely swept away when massive water flows—triggered by the overflowing of the Gregory Tank and the opening of its sluice gates—flooded the area. The destroyed homes were built from sheets and planks. All residents had been evacuated to safe locations beforehand, and no casualties were reported. Neighbours also took steps to remove household belongings, though many items that could not be saved were washed away.
All major shopping complexes along the Nuwara Eliya main street sustained severe damage due to the flooding. While the exact financial loss has yet to be calculated, members of the business community estimate damages between Rs. 500 million and Rs. 1,000 million.
The Traffic Police have completely closed several major roads due to landslides, including the Nuwara Eliya–Hatton main road, Shanthipura main road, Abeywala–Pattipola main road, Kandy–Nuwara Eliya main road, Hatton–Colombo main road, and the Nuwara Eliya–Badulla main road.
The Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council Disaster Management Unit, together with the Nuwara Eliya District Disaster Management Unit, as well as officers and employees of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and Pradeshiya Sabha, are currently engaged in restoring Nuwara Eliya city and all roads damaged by landslides and flooding.
