Six killed as heavy rain, landslides and floods batter Sri Lanka

At least six people were killed and three injured as heavy rain, landslides and flash floods hit parts of Sri Lanka. Nearly 1,900 people were moved to relief centres, while schools closed and authorities issued flood and weather warnings

Colombo: At least six persons were killed and three others injured as heavy rain, landslides and flash floods battered parts of Sri Lanka over the past two days, officials said on Tuesday. The adverse weather has affected five districts, with incessant downpours triggering landslides, flooding and strong winds, disrupting normal life and forcing nearly 1,900 people into relief centres.

Police said three women, aged 83, 58 and 47, and a 22-year-old man were killed when a mound of earth collapsed onto a house in the Polpitiya-Morahenagama area. In a separate incident, a 53-year-old man died after falling into the Mahaweli River while crossing a bridge on the Watawala-Gnanandagama road.

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Police also said a 67-year-old man was killed after a mound of earth collapsed onto a roadside shop in Solangkanda Janaudana village in Nawalapitiya. A 45-year-old man was reported missing after being swept away by flash floodwaters in the Ambagamuwa area of Ginigathena, police said. The central district of Nuwara Eliya recorded around 100 mm of rainfall, while authorities warned fishermen against venturing into the sea because of rough weather and strong winds.

Schools across the Central Province remained closed on Tuesday as a precaution. On Monday, authorities issued evacuation warnings for residents living along the Mahaweli and Kelani river basins due to the risk of flash floods. Most major reservoirs in the country had reached spill levels, officials said.

The latest spell of extreme weather comes as Sri Lanka continues to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa in November, which killed nearly 640 people, affected around two million others and caused an estimated USD 4.1 billion in damage.