Advertisement

Sri Lanka races to rescue flood victims as death toll rises to 160

By Annie Martin
People walk in flood waters at Athwelthote in Baduraliya, outside Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday following heavy monsoon rains. Photo by M.A. Pushpa Kumara/EPA
People walk in flood waters at Athwelthote in Baduraliya, outside Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday following heavy monsoon rains. Photo by M.A. Pushpa Kumara/EPA

May 29 (UPI) -- The death toll in Sri Lanka increased to 160 after monsoon rains -- the worst in 14 years -- caused mass flooding and mudslides, the Red Cross said Monday.

The Southeast Asian country is racing to rescue flood victims as the bad weather and flooding entered its fourth day Monday. CNN reported more than 100 people were missing, with about 500,000 affected by the flood.

Advertisement

Government officials said Friday that monsoon rains caused mass flooding and mudslides across the country. Banakiyanage Gnanawathie, who lives in Matara, was among those forced to flee from their homes.

"I have never seen such floods though I have spent my entire lifetime in Matara," she told CNN. "We have lost all our belongings and remain in the clothes we wore."

Army boats were being used to evacuate people and bring relief supplies, while military aircraft were being dispatched to rescue stranded villagers, to Sky News reported. The flood cut off access to many rural parts of the country.

Ships with relief supplies from India arrived in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, on Saturday. Sky News reported the United States and Pakistan also were expected to provide aid.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines