Over 200,000 people affected by flash floods in Sri Lanka

Over 200,000 people have been affected by torrential rains and flash floods that have wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka, killing eight people with nine others still missing, officials said today

Colombo: Over 200,000 people have been affected by torrential rains and flash floods that have wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka, killing eight people with nine others still missing, officials said today.

Sri Lankan residents use a boat to travel through floodwaters. Pic/ AFP

"19 of the 25 administrative districts in the island were affected by heavy rains, floods and earth slips. 47,922 families or 207,556 people have been affected," Disaster management spokesman Pradeep Kodippily said. He said 176 shelters provide accommodation to over 134,000. Some 68 homes have been completely destroyed.

The capital Colombo was the worst hit with many roads going under water. "The low pressure situation which caused heavy rains had now moved towards South India," Lalith Chandrapala, Meteorological Department official said.

The rains have been lashing the country for the last three days, felling trees, damaging power cables and blocking roads and connectivity.

Yesterday, the armed forces had also been put on alert. As many as eight districts were issued landslide warnings.

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