Sri Lanka hit by rains, flooding

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The heaviest rainfall in nearly two decades flooded Sri Lanka's capital, killing at least one person and inundating thousands of homes, officials said.

Officials used boats and helicopters to help marooned residents, while other workers tried to restore electricity, NIDAHASA News reported.

Weather forecasters said rains were expected to continue, with one area receiving nearly 16 inches overnight.

Eleven emergency shelters were set up in Colombo and military troops were used to evacuate people from the flooded parliament building, the report said.

"Heavy rains are due to inter-monsoonal activity and we can expect more rain," Met Department head G.D. Samarasinghe said. "We have received the highest rainfall in 18 years in Colombo."