Sri Lanka closes schools as heavy rains trigger floods and mudslides, killing at least five
Heavy rains have caused floods and mudslides in Sri Lanka's mountainous regions, killing at least five people and forcing schools to close.
Sri Lankan authorities closed schools in tea-growing mountain regions on Tuesday after heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides that killed at least five people and wounded three others. The Disaster Management Centre said torrential downpours over the past two days have caused widespread damage, flooding homes, farmland and roads. The central mountain area is the worst-hit.
Centre spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said five people died after mudslides buried two houses in the central region. Three more were injured and two are reported missing. The rains and floods damaged 129 houses, and nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated. Navy and army personnel have been deployed to rescue those trapped in the floodwaters and move them to safer ground.
Local broadcaster Hiru TV showed troops and civilians helping residents out of flooded homes that were also threatened by mudflows. Footage also showed large rocks, landslides and toppled electricity poles blocking several main roads in the central region, disrupting traffic.
The latest disaster comes as Sri Lanka is still recovering from Cyclone Ditwa, which struck in November, killing nearly 640 people, affecting 2 million and causing an estimated $4.1 billion (€3.5 billion) in damage. The Central Province was the hardest hit, and authorities are still struggling to rebuild roads, railways and homes there.
Mudslides and floods are among the most destructive natural hazards in Sri Lanka every year. Heavy monsoon rain often triggers landslides in the central highlands, while low-lying areas are flooded, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
