Sri Lanka flooding after worst torrential rains in 14 years

Rescuers in Sri Lanka on Monday pulled out bodies buried in the mudslides triggered by the country’s worst torrential rains in 14 years, taking the death toll to 164. The Disaster Management Centre said 104 people are still missing while 88 remain in hospital.

The incessant rains experienced since Thursday night have driven nearly half a million people out of their inundated homes in the southern and western regions.

Police said a Sri Lankan Airforce helicopter (SLAF) MI-17 carrying relief aid for flood victims crashed in the southern Galle district, the worst hit of the 14 districts by flash floods and earth slips in the on-going monsoonal rains, while carrying out relief operations in the flood-stricken areas.

Following India’s lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries have started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.

China is to donate relief items worth of $ 2.2 million.

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This entry was posted in Humanitarian Aid, International Cooperation by Grant Montgomery.