COLOMBO: Flooding and landslides killed at least 91 people and left another 110 missing in Sri Lanka as the monsoon set in Friday, dumping record rainfalls in many parts of the island, authorities said.
About 20,000 people were also driven out of their homes in the south and western parts of the country, the Disaster Management Centre said.
“The Southwest monsoon began with very intense rain,” Deputy Minister for Disaster Management Dunesh Gankanda told reporters in Colombo.
“There are some areas where we are unable to reach, but relief operations are under way.”
The DMC said the toll rose to 91 dead and another 110 missing as reports came in from areas which had been inaccessible earlier in the day.
Sri Lanka appealed to the international community including the United Nations and neighbouring countries for help as the numbers of dead and missing climbed.
Heavy rains in the southern and western parts of the country have destroyed hundreds of homes and cut off several roads.
“The (foreign) ministry will continue to monitor the flood situation and seek assistance as required in consultation with the Ministry of Disaster Management,” the government said in a statement.
It said Colombo had already sounded out the UN and its South Asian neighbours. — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
