16 people die in Sri Lanka floods, landslides
Colombo, June 7 (EFE).- At least 16 people have died in monsoon-triggered floods and landslides that forced thousands out of their homes in Sri Lanka, officials said on Monday.
The officials said over 270,000 people were affected by the rains that lashed out for days and caused heavy flooding across the island nation.
But the water levels had started receding now even as the authorities issued fresh landslide warnings for ten districts, they said.
“The deaths included those who went swimming in the flood water. We are closely monitoring the situation,” senior disaster management officer Pradeep Kodippili told EFE.
He said rescuers evacuated over 26,000 people to safer places as floodwaters marooned thousands of families.
The heavy rains have disrupted the electricity supply at many places across the island.
The meteorology department said more rains might hit the southwest of the island in the next two days.
The department urged people to take precautions amid a forecast for strong winds and lightning.
The Sri Lankan army and navy rescued many 30 people from flooded areas, including around the capital Colombo.
Flooding is common in Sri Lanka that goes through its monsoon season between May and September.
The adverse weather conditions have complicated salvage efforts for the X-Press Pearl cargo ship that sank last week, spilling chemical products into the sea.
The heavy rains and flooding have hit when the country is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, with around 3,000 infections being recorded each day.
Sri Lanka Navy officials are deployed to aid people distressed by floods. EFE
aw/ssk
