Khaberni - The toll of the floods and landslides that have hit Sri Lanka in the past week has risen to 56 dead, while 21 people are still missing, according to the authorities announced today, Friday. This coincided with the government's decision to close all government offices and schools as stormy weather continues.
The situation worsened significantly on Thursday after heavy rains flooded homes, fields, and roads in various regions, causing violent landslides, especially in the mountainous areas of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, which are among the most important tea-growing regions in the country.
According to the Disaster Management Center, more than 25 people were killed in those areas alone, while 14 injured were transported to hospitals amid ongoing search and rescue operations in the rugged mountain areas.
The ongoing floods caused rivers and main reservoirs to overflow, leading to almost complete paralysis of the infrastructure. The landslides caused large amounts of rocks, mud, and trees to fall on public roads, obstructing rescue teams' ability to reach the affected areas.
The authorities noted that repeated soil collapses in the mountainous areas make it extremely difficult to reach some of the affected villages, at a time when efforts to clear debris and open paths for urgent humanitarian operations continue.
A circulating video showed a military helicopter intervening to rescue a family that had taken refuge on the roof of their completely submerged house, where family members were lifted one after another in a dramatic rescue operation.
The Sri Lankan Meteorological Authority warned of the continuation of heavy rainfall in the coming days, indicating the possibility of additional landslides, and urged residents in slopes and mountainous areas to leave their homes immediately to ensure their safety.
