At least 31 people have been killed and thousands evacuated after a powerful storm hit Sri Lanka, triggering floods and landslides. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that 191 people remain missing, with rescue operations ongoing.
Nearly 78,000 people have been moved to temporary shelters after their homes were destroyed by the heavy rains. The DMC director general, Sampath Kotuwegoda, said relief operations were under way with the help of the armed forces.
The storm, which made landfall on Wednesday, has affected more than 500,000 people nationwide. In the north-central district of Kurunegala, 11 residents of a care home for elderly people were killed when it was flooded.
Military personnel have been distributing food, clearing roads and rescuing stranded families. In a 24-hour operation, 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, were rescued from the Anuradhapura district.
The Kelani River burst its banks on Friday evening, forcing hundreds to flee. One resident, Mallika Kumari, said she left her cat behind but it was later rescued by a navy boat crew.
India has sent a plane load of supplies, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, saying New Delhi was ready to provide more aid. Officials expect the flood levels to be worse than in 2016, when 71 people were killed.
