Sri Lanka landslides, floods kill 25

At least 25 people are dead and more than 40 are missing as floods and landslides ravage Sri Lanka during the early wet season.

Sri Lankan landslide survivors

At least 25 people are dead and more than 40 are missing as floods and landslides ravage Sri Lanka. (AAP)

Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 25 people while dozens are missing after torrential rain.

The early wet-season downpours have forced hundreds of people from their homes across the Indian Ocean island.

"There are at least five landslides reported in several places in Kaluthara," said police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody on Friday, referring to the worst-hit district on the island's west coast.

"Rescue operations are still taking place."

The disaster management centre said 25 people had been killed and 42 were missing.

Military spokesman Roshan Senevirathne said about 400 personnel had been deployed with boats and helicopters to help the police and civilian agencies.

The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka is usually during the southern monsoon, from May to September.


Share
1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Sri Lanka landslides, floods kill 25 | SBS News