COLOMBO – At least 24 people were killed and several others went missing in Sri Lanka due to floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain, international media reported.
According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Center, the massive landslides happened on Thursday night and Friday morning in different parts of the country after heavy rains lashed areas for a third day.
Around 11 dead bodies were retrieved after a landslide in Bulathsinhala, 65km southeast of the capital, Colombo.
The rain also lashed out several parts of the southern Galle and Matara districts, famous destinations for international tourists.
Major roads in the region were also destroyed due to the heavy rains interrupting transport services and rescue operations in the country.
The country’s navy deployed more than 100 sailors and 20 boats to rescue and help those affected.
In May 2016, at least 127 people were killed in the landslide in the the central Kegalle district.