1. Met Dept. issues advisory for severe lightning

Turning to domestic news, the Department of Meteorology (Sri Lanka) issued an Amber-level advisory on 22 November 2025, warning of severe lightning in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North-Western provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts. The warning noted that thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning and localised strong winds were expected between 12:00 noon and 11:30 pm that day. Residents were urged to take precautions such as staying indoors, avoiding exposed outdoor activities and securing loose objects. This incident underscores the growing intensity and unpredictability of weather events in Sri Lanka—consistent with patterns of climate change where heightened atmospheric moisture and convection lead to more frequent extreme localized storms. It highlights the importance of robust early-warning systems, public awareness, and infrastructure capable of handling swift weather shifts.

Reference:

Daily Mirror. (2025, November 22). Met Dept. issues advisory for severe lightning. Daily Mirror. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Met-Dept-issues-advisory-for-severe-lightning/108-325777

2. Rockfall Closes Colombo–Kandy Road, Trapping Several in Ganethenna

Turning to domestic news, a rockfall and earth-movement event struck a shop and a house in the Ganethenna area of Pahala Kadugannawa on 22 November 2025, causing the Colombo–Kandy main road to be temporarily closed. Ten people were trapped inside the affected structures; emergency services rescued four who were admitted to Mawanella Hospital, and one of those has since died. Officials reported that heavy rainfall in the area had heightened the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and earth slips leading to the road closure and advisories for motorists to use alternate routes until inspections and mitigation are completed. This incident illustrates the increasing intersection between extreme weather (heavy rainfall) and geological hazards (rockfall/landslide) in Sri Lanka’s hill-slope zones. It highlights the urgency of geotechnical monitoring, slope-management, disaster-preparedness in mountainous terrain, and integration of rainfall-triggered-hazard warning systems.

Reference:

Daily Mirror. (2025, November 22). Rockfall closes Colombo–Kandy road, trapping several in Ganethenna. Daily Mirror. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Rockfall-closes-ColomboKandy-road-trapping-several-in-Ganethenna/108-325745

3.More than 85 dead as typhoon wreaks havoc in the Philippines

Turning to international news, Typhoon Kalmaegi (locally known as Tino) struck the central Philippines in early November 2025, bringing catastrophic flooding, wind damage, and loss of life. According to BBC reports, at least 85 people have died, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and dozens more are missing. Many of the fatalities occurred in Cebu, where floodwaters swept through towns, forcing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and in makeshift places. Notably, six crew members of a military helicopter died when the aircraft crashed during a rescue mission in Mindanao.The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity in the affected areas to expedite relief operations.

-This typhoon highlights how tropical cyclones remain one of the deadliest climate-related disasters for the Philippines, emphasizing the country’s extreme vulnerability.

-The scale of displacement (hundreds of thousands) shows the social and economic toll beyond immediate fatalities. This kind of disaster deepens poverty, displaces whole communities, and disrupts recovery.

-The crash of the military helicopter underscores how disaster-response itself can be risky and underlines the need for better-resourced rescue operations.

-The event also raises questions about infrastructure resilience (river management, flood control) especially in regions frequently hit by typhoons.

From a media framing perspective, this catastrophe reinforces the narrative of climate crisis: warm seas + strong storms + weak infrastructure = mounting human costs.

Reference:

BBC News. (2025, November 5). Typhoon Kalmaegi: At least 85 killed in the Philippines as storm wreaks havoc. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmx4yjkzj4o

4. More snow disruption with 100 schools closed in North East

Turning to international/domestic-UK news, unusually heavy snowfall across northern Scotland and parts of north-east England has forced around 100 schools to close. A Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice remains in effect, with parts of Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands experiencing dangerous road conditions and heavy accumulation. In addition to school closures, transport has been severely disrupted: the A90 between Cleanhill and Stonehaven was shut, and motorists were warned to avoid travel in affected areas. Temperatures in some regions have dropped to –12 °C, heightening the risk of ice and further travel hazards. This situation illustrates how arctic-like cold spells and associated snow and ice are not just sporadic winter events but increasingly significant disruptions. While not directly tied to climate change in this report, such extreme winter weather puts pressure on infrastructure (roads, schools) and reveals vulnerabilities in preparedness and resilience. It underscores the need for better planning for extreme low-temperature events, including road gritting, school contingency plans, and community support for vulnerable populations during prolonged cold snaps.

References:

BBC News. (2025, November 20). More heavy snow disruption with 90 schools closed in North East. BBC. https://chatgpt.com/c/68fb178d-aa90-8323-b93c-1478fc001607

5. Sudden Floods Cause Heavy Traffic In Kandy

Turning to domestic news, Sri Lanka experienced severe flooding in Kandy on September 9, 2025, after heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in just a few hours. Low-lying areas including Mahayiyawa and the Kandy Railway Station were inundated, causing major traffic disruptions and delays for commuters. Daily life in the city was paralyzed as roads became impassable, and residents faced difficulties accessing essential services. Reports emphasized the scale of disruption but also pointed out that such events are becoming more common. This situation demonstrates how climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather and highlights the urgent need for better urban drainage and disaster preparedness in Sri Lanka.

Reference:

Daily Mirror. (2025, September 9). Sudden floods cause heavy traffic in Kandy. Daily Mirror. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Sudden-floods-cause-heavy-traffic-in-Kandy/108-318903

6. Sri Lanka Launches National Climate Finance strategy 

Sri Lanka has taken a significant policy step by launching its National Climate Finance Strategy in September 2025. The strategy outlines how the country aims to secure funding for renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, and resilient infrastructure, while also attracting private and international investment. Officials stressed that the country requires hundreds of millions of dollars annually for climate action, making private sector participation essential. This plan reflects Sri Lanka’s attempt to balance economic limitations with the urgency of climate adaptation. The report highlights government commitment but also raises concerns about implementation challenges, transparency, and ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from the funding.

Reference:

Hiru News. (2025, September 10). Sri Lanka launches National Climate Finance Strategy. Hiru News. https://hirunews.lk/english/business/419306/sri-lanka-launches-national-climate-finance-strategy

7. Globally, third – warmest August and June – August, and near – average global tropical cyclone activity

International climate monitors, including NOAA, confirmed that August 2025 ranked among the hottest Augusts ever recorded worldwide. Global average temperatures reached unprecedented levels, while regions experienced extreme events such as heatwaves, droughts, and flash floods. Reports emphasized that these records reflect a continuing trend of global warming rather than isolated events. The seriousness of the findings lies in their connection to agriculture, water scarcity, and health systems already under stress. This news serves as a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present reality, requiring urgent adaptation and stronger global climate policies.

Reference:

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. (2025, September). Global climate report: August 2025. NOAA. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-202508

8. Rise in dengue fever outbreaks across the pacific driven by the climate crisis

In August 2025, several Pacific nations such as Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga reported rising dengue outbreaks, with hundreds of cases and multiple deaths. Health experts explained that climate change plays a major role, as higher temperatures and altered rainfall patterns extend mosquito breeding seasons and expand their geographic range. Although authorities advised the public not to panic, they acknowledged that the long-term risk will rise if warming trends continue. This situation underscores the indirect ways climate change threatens human health, particularly in vulnerable island nations. The report highlights the importance of preparedness measures such as vaccination, mosquito control, and improved sanitation to limit future outbreaks.

Reference:

The Guardian. (2025, August 12). Rise in dengue fever outbreaks across the Pacific driven by the climate crisis, experts say. The Guardian. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/12/dengue-fever-outbreaks-samoa-fiji-tonga-climate-crisis

9. Advisory Issued for Strong Winds and Rough Seas

Turning to domestic news, the Department of Meteorology (Sri Lanka) issued an amber-level advisory on September 26, 2025, warning coastal regions of Sri Lanka of strong winds and rough seas. The advisory covers sea areas off the west and north-west coasts, where winds were expected to reach for hours and waves heighten. Fishers and coastal residents were instructed to stay ashore, suspend fishing operations, and avoid beach activities until conditions improve. Reports emphasised that such marine-weather hazards are becoming more frequent as ocean surface temperatures rise and weather systems slow down. This situation demonstrates how climate change is escalating the risk of coastal storm impacts and underscores the urgent need for improved maritime early-warning systems and coastal resilience measures in Sri Lanka.

Reference:

Ada Derana. (2025, September 26). Advisory issued for strong winds and rough seas (English). Ada Derana https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=113872

10. Severe Weather Strikes; Flood Threat Looms

Turning to domestic news, Sri Lanka faced harsh weather conditions beginning October 22, 2025, when a low-pressure system intensified near the island, prompting warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flood risk. The Department of Meteorology forecast rainfall exceeding 100 mm in many areas, especially in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Southern provinces, while strong winds of up to 40 km/h were predicted over central hill slopes and northern districts. Shortly thereafter, at least two fatalities were reported, and 740 people from 187 families were affected across several districts (Kurunegala, Galle, Anuradhapura, Kegalle and Badulla). Some 152 houses were damaged, while the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued a Level 2 Amber landslide warning for Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts. Flood-warnings were also activated for major river basins such as the Kalu, Kelani, Gin, Attanagalu and kirindi oya Reports emphasise that such intense weather events marked by heavy rain, wind, flood and landslide risk are becoming more common in Sri Lanka. The situation underscores how climate-change driven factors (such as warmer atmosphere, altered monsoon patterns and weakened large-scale circulation) may be increasing the frequency and severity of such events. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced early-warning systems, robust urban and rural drainage infrastructures, improved landslide-risk mapping, and stronger community-resilience programmes.  

Reference:

Daily Mirror. (2025, October 22). Severe weather strikes; flood threat looms. Daily Mirror. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Severe-weather-strikes-flood-threat-looms/108-322896

11. Inclement Weather Conditions Claim Four Lives

Turning to domestic news, severe weather brought on by a depression in the southeast Arabian Sea claimed four lives in Sri Lanka as of October 24, 2025. The fatalities include two in the Kegalle District, one in the Anuradhapura District and one in the Kandy District. Further, approximately 12,142 people from 3,036 families across 12 districts were affected by the conditions, with 191 houses reported damaged. Some areas recorded intense rainfall Handala received about 100 mm, Kalutara about 60 mm and Galle about 45 mm. The Department of Meteorology (Sri Lanka) also forecast strong winds over 65 km/h and rough seas in the coming days. This situation highlights how even non-cyclonic weather systems, when combined with warmer seas and changing atmospheric conditions linked to climate change, can lead to deadly outcomes and wide-scale disruption. It underscores the urgent need for improved rainfall monitoring, strengthened infrastructure in vulnerable districts and more robust early-warning systems.

Reference:

Daily Mirror. (2025, October 24). Inclement weather conditions claim four lives. Daily Mirror.https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Inclement-weather-conditions-claim-four-lives/108-323144

12. Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane. It could be a worst-case scenario for Jamaica

Turning to international news, Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the central Caribbean on October 23, 2025, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Jamaica, Haiti, and parts of Cuba. The storm, which had sustained winds of around 50 mph, was forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moved slowly northwest over very warm ocean waters. Authorities in Jamaica issued hurricane warnings, prepared emergency shelters, and suspended schools and public services. In Haiti, where infrastructure remains fragile, officials warned of possible flooding, landslides, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Reports highlighted that rising sea temperatures and slower-moving weather systems are making tropical storms more intense and unpredictable. This event demonstrates how climate change is contributing to stronger hurricanes and increased risks for island nations. It also emphasizes the importance of early warning systems, disaster readiness, and global cooperation to address worsening climate-related disasters.

Reference:

CNN. (2025, October 23). Tropical Storm Melissa expected to strengthen into hurricane as it moves across the Caribbean. CNN.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/23/weather/tropical-storm-hurricane-melissa-caribbean-track