Deadly Monsoon in Sri Lanka: 14 Killed in Landslides and Floods
At least 14 people have been killed by flash floods, landslides, or tree falls in Sri Lanka, as the country in South Asia grapples with monsoon rains, the national disaster management center announced on Sunday, June 2. Among them, three individuals from the same family were swept away by waters near Colombo on Sunday. Others were buried alive in mudslides. Nine more people were crushed in tree falls that occurred in seven districts since the intensification of the monsoon on May 21.
According to the national disaster management center, 20 out of the country’s 25 districts have been affected by heavy rains. Authorities have urged residents living along major rivers to move to higher ground.
Flights arriving at Colombo’s international airport have been diverted to a smaller airport, and exits from some major highways have experienced flooding. The government has also ordered the closure of all schools on Monday, following the weekend break, as forecasts predict more rain.
