Sri Lanka experienced unprecedented rainfall in the final days of November with Matale recording 540 millimeters, the highest daily rainfall reported during the period. According to Professor of Hydrology and Agrophysics Lakshman Galagedara, the highest daily rainfall on record remains 494 millimeters in Ratmalana in 1992, followed by 397 millimeters in Ratnapura in 1996.

What made this event exceptional was the widespread nature of the rainfall with heavy downpours also reported across the central highlands. The massive volume of water overwhelmed the soil and river systems, which lacked adequate reservoirs and flood control mechanisms.

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