26th May, 2017
The death toll in landslides triggered by heavy rain across Sri Lanka has surpassed 57, with no fewer than 30 other people missing, disaster management officials said on Friday.
“The landslides occurred in central, southern and western parts of the country after two days of heavy rain,’’ disaster management officials said.
The majority of the deaths were reported from the Kalutara district 40 kilometres south of the capital, where 37 deaths have been confirmed, UDC Jayalal.
Officials in the area said no fewer than 20 more deaths have been reported from the adjoining Ratnapura district.
Heavy rains led to over six major landslides in the two districts leaving no fewer than 30 others missing.
There were reports of deaths in the capital Colombo, but that could not be independently confirmed.
“We have deployed the army backed by the navy and air force to assist in the rescue operations,’’ Brig. Roshan Seneviratne said.
Heavy rain also flooded several parts of the southern Galle and Matara districts both popular tourist destinations.
The floods and landslides have already displaced over 10,000 people and that number is likely to rise with others asked to leave their homes.
“We have appealed to the people living on the banks of the rivers affected by floods to vacate their homes,’’ Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena said.
In May 2016, no fewer than 127 people were killed in a landslide in the central Kegalle district.