Death toll reaches 69 as Sri Lanka is hit by rising flood waters

"Troops in Sri Lanka were racing to rescue hundreds of people marooned by rising flood waters on Friday as weather-related deaths rose to 69, with another 34 people declared missing. Helicopters and navy boats carried out rescue operations, plucking people from treetops, roofs and villages cut off by flood waters. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the toll had climbed with the recovery of more bodies in the worst affected central region, where most victims had been buried alive as mudslides hit this week."

"Rain was falling across the island with some regions receiving 360mm in the past 24 hours, the DMC said. The Kelani River, which runs into the Indian Ocean near the capital Colombo, overflowed its banks on Friday. VSA Ratnayake, 56, said he had to leave his flooded home in Kaduwela, near Colombo. I think this could be the worst flood in our area for three decades, Ratnayake said. I remember a flood in the 1990s when my house was under 7ft of water."

"At least 3,000 homes were damaged in mudslides and floods, and more than 18,000 people have been moved to temporary shelters. In Anuradhapura district in the north, a Bell 212 helicopter airlifted a man who had climbed a coconut tree to escape rising waters. The DMC said more rain was forecast, with Cyclone Ditwah likely to move away from the north towards the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu by Sunday. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, expressed his condolences over the loss of life in Sri Lanka and said Delhi was rushing out aid to the affected areas. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves, Modi said on X."

Severe floods and mudslides across Sri Lanka have killed at least 69 people and left another 34 missing. Troops, helicopters and navy boats conducted rescues, plucking people from treetops, roofs and isolated villages. The Disaster Management Centre reported recovered bodies in the central region where many victims were buried alive by mudslides. Heavy rain fell nationwide, with some areas receiving 360mm in 24 hours and the Kelani River overflowing near Colombo. At least 3,000 homes were damaged and more than 18,000 people moved to temporary shelters. Authorities warned of more rain and the influence of Cyclone Ditwah, while India dispatched aid and tourists were evacuated to Colombo.

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