Floods and mudslides kill 6, another 5 missing in Sri Lanka
Posted June 05, 2021 7:00 am
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least six people and left five missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday.
Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic.
Four people died in floods while another two lost their lives in mudslides, according to the government's Disaster Management Center. Another five people are missing in floods and mudslides.
A mound of earth crashed onto a house and buried four members of the same family - parents and two children - in Kegalle district, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of the capital Colombo on Saturday, officials and local media said.
A local television channel, Hiru, showed soldiers and villagers removing mud and debris to recover the victims. Later, the body of the daughter was uncovered.
Figures released by the government showed that more than 5,000 people have moved to temporary shelters and more than 600 houses have been damaged.
Sri Lankans ride a raft in an inundated street following heavy rainfall at Malwana, on the out skirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
Stranded Sri Lankans travel in a boat in an inundated street following heavy rainfall in Malwana, on the out skirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
Sri Lankans stranded due to floods travel in a boat in an inundated street following heavy rainfall at Malwana, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
Sri Lankans stranded due to floods travel in a boat in an inundated street following heavy rainfall at Malwana, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
A Sri Lankan man wades through in an inundated street carrying a child following heavy rainfall at Malwana, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
Sri Lankans watch rising water levels following heavy rain at Malwana, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
A Sri Lankan man cleans utensils in his stall standing in floodewaters at Malwana, on the out skirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 5, 2021. Flash floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least four people and left seven missing, while more than 5,000 are displaced, officials said Saturday. Rains have been pounding six districts of the Indian Ocean island nation since Thursday night, and many houses, paddy fields and roads have been inundated, blocking traffic. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.