Heavy rains claim 26 lives in Sri Lanka

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AA) - Floods and landslides caused by heavy rains across Sri Lanka claimed 26 lives and left 42 people missing, an emergency official said Friday.

Rains on Thursday and Friday flooded four main rivers of the country.

The fatalities included people buried under debris from a landslide at midnight in Baduraliya, a town 60 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of the capital Colombo.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the next 48 hours, as the government is trying to reach the affected areas.

Hundreds are currently being evacuated from the southern districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota, where torrential rains have caused floods.

According to official estimates, 7,856 people and 2,811 families have been affected by the bad weather so far.

The navy and army are assisting in the evacuation and rescue program, Disaster Management Center spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said.

Meanwhile, the Urban Development Authority has issued a directive to immediately remove constructions that are disturbing the flow of water in reservoirs and canals.

In 2016, Sri Lanka suffered severe flooding and landslides that claimed more than a hundred lives.