Sri Lanka flood disaster: 91 dead, 110 missing

According to updated information, the terrible floods and landslides that occurred in Sri Lanka have so far killed at least 91 people and 110 people are missing.

The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center said the area with the highest death toll was Ratnapura, an area known for its jade mines, located 100 km from the capital Colombo.

The first monsoon of the season has brought heavy rains for many days, causing the Kalu River to overflow its banks and flood a large area.

Landslide destroys more than 1,000 homes in Sri Lanka

More than 1,000 houses were completely destroyed by landslides and floodwaters. Traffic and communication were cut off. Most of the deaths were due to being buried by landslides.

Meanwhile, in dangerous areas in the south and west of the country, more than 20,000 people have been urgently evacuated as downstream floods are forecast to arrive in the coming days.

Sri Lankan officials fear the death toll could rise as authorities begin to receive reports from previously inaccessible areas.

Many people had to evacuate urgently because of the flood.

Local authorities have mobilized thousands of soldiers to participate, using many helicopters and motorboats for rescue operations.

Residents along the Kaleniya River have been told to evacuate immediately to guard against the risk of a dam breach.

Meanwhile, water levels in some reservoirs used for hydropower in the region are also exceeding the warning level, causing flooding risk downstream.

The Sri Lankan government has declared the highest disaster alert and called for assistance from the United Nations and neighboring countries.

This is the most serious flood in Sri Lanka's history since May 2003 when monsoon floods claimed the lives of more than 250 people and left tens of thousands homeless./.

According to VOV