[1][2] About 245,000 people were affected living in Colombo, Puttalam, Kandy, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and Galle.
Flooding occurs in Sri Lanka on a regular basis during May and June as tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon impact the nation.
[citation needed] The flood situation took a toll on the livelihoods of Sri Lankan people who were also crippled by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic with cases continue to surge in the months of May and June.
[5] Sri Lanka experienced flash floods and torrential rain fall in the month of May due to Cyclone Yaas which originated in the Bay of Bengal.
[13] An average rainfall of around 125 mm has reportedly fallen in upper catchment areas of the Kelani River on 5 June 2021 which prompted authorities to issue a red alert regarding a flood.