14 people have been confirmed dead as severe floods and landslides hit Sri Lanka. The country has been hit by rains over the past 24 hours affecting nearly 52,000 individuals leading to displacement, school closures, and a red alert weather warning issued by authorities.
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The Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported that 14 people lost their lives in the past 24 hours due to floods and landslides.
Among the deceased are three members of the same family, a 78-year-old man, his 36-year-old daughter, and his 7-year-old granddaughter. They were swept away by floodwaters in Avissawella, a region in the Colombo district.
An 11-year-old girl was also buried under a collapsed embankment in the same area. In the Southern province two individuals from Galle were reported dead after being washed away by the flood.
Since the onset of the South-West monsoon on May 15, a total of 20 deaths have been recorded, according to State Minister of Defence, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon.
Continuous heavy rains have prompted landslide warnings in 20 out of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts. Affected provinces include the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, and Southern regions.
Schools across the country have been closed as directed by the Education Ministry. The expressway to southern Sri Lanka was shut down as several entrances and exits were inundated.
Train services have been suspended in numerous areas due to submerged railway lines and damaged signal systems.
The Power and Energy Ministry announced precautionary disconnections of power supplies in several regions with electricity lines damaged by falling trees and floods.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has urged residents living near landslide-prone areas to be ready to evacuate immediately.
The Irrigation Department issued flood warnings to communities residing near rivers. Fishermen have been advised to refrain from setting out to sea.
The Sri Lanka Navy and other military branches have been deployed with boats for rescue missions in flood-affected areas.
The DMC stated that the tri-forces are on alert to assist with search and rescue operations in the flooded zones.
The Sri Lankan Army has dispatched seven teams equipped with boats to areas including Kiriella, Dehiowita, Galathuru Oya, Morawaka, Thawalama, Thihagoda, and Neluwa. The Air Force has three helicopters on standby for emergency rescue operations.
The Ministry of Education declared a nationwide holiday for all schools on Monday. The expressway to southern Sri Lanka has been closed and train operations have come to a halt in many areas.
The Power and Energy Ministry has disconnected power supplies in several regions as a precautionary measure. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings in multiple districts.
The Irrigation Department reported that water levels in the main Kelani River on the outskirts of Colombo and the Gin River in the south had reached spill levels due to continuous heavy rains.
The DMC advised families in low-lying areas to evacuate to higher grounds immediately. The Department of Meteorology issued a red alert for heavy showers in several provinces predicting over 150 mm of rainfall in the next 24 hours.
The rains have led to severe flooding, uprooted trees, strong winds and landslides across the country. More than 13,000 families have been displaced due to the heavy rains and floods with 4,000 homes partially damaged and 28 houses completely destroyed.
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The Sri Lankan Navy deployed relief teams to vulnerable areas in the districts of Kalutara, Galle, and Matara. These teams are actively engaged in providing necessary aid and support to affected people.
Ten Navy flood relief teams have been dispatched to Bulathsinhala, Puwakpitiya, Palindanuwara, Welipanna in the Kaluthara district, Thavalama in the Galle district, and Akurassa and Panadugama in the Matara district.
116 Navy relief teams including units from the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Special Boat Squadron, and Navy Marines, are on standby to assist the public in the event of further flooding.
The Sri Lankan Army is preparing meals for affected families in the Malimbada and Saalawa areas. The Sri Lanka Air Force has readied two Bell 212 helicopters and one Bell 412 helicopter for rescue operations.
More than 4,000 homes suffered partial damage with 28 houses completely destroyed. The Kandy-Colombo main road was blocked by a large fallen tree. Key highways were flooded at several exits causing travel disruptions.
Over 19,000 people from more than 5,000 families were marooned. The government issued warnings to people living near major rivers including the Kelani, Nilwala, Ginganga, and Kalu to evacuate to higher ground due to rising water levels.
Electricity supplies were disconnected in several areas as a precaution, affecting residents and compounding the difficulties. The Ministry of Education announced the closure of all schools on Monday.
The Sri Lankan Army deployed seven teams equipped with boats for rescue operations. The Air Force placed three helicopters on standby for emergency response in affected areas.
The Navy deployed 10 flood relief teams to vulnerable areas in the districts of Kalutara, Galle, and Matara. 116 Navy relief teams including units from the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Special Boat Squadron, and Navy Marines were on standby.
The police established a Special Operations Room to assist the public affected by the weather, with hotline numbers provided for assistance. The National Building Research Centre issued red notices for landslides in four districts.
Experts have warned that the frequency of floods is likely to increase due to climate change, making the monsoon season more hazardous.
Wildlife authorities discovered the bodies of seven young elephants who drowned in the Dimbulagala region around 250 kilometers northeast of Colombo. This is the largest single loss of elephants in five years.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardena, to allocate funds to District Secretaries to provide assistance to those affected.
The military and other emergency services were mobilized to provide food, shelter, and medical aid to displaced individuals.
Flights arriving at Colombo’s main international airport were diverted to a smaller airport due to the weather conditions.
The DMC forecasted continued heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and thunder. The Meteorology Department issued a red alert for heavy showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North Western provinces predicting over 150mm of rainfall in the next 24 hours.
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