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.

Trong khi đó, mực nước tại một số hồ chứa sử dụng cho thủy điện trong khu vực cũng đang vượt qua mức báo động nguy cơ làm ngập lụt vùng hạ lưu.

Chính phủ Sri Lanka đã ban bố cảnh báo cao nhất về thiên tai đồng thời kêu gọi sự hỗ trợ của Liên Hợp quốc và các nước láng giềng.

Đây là đợt lũ lụt nghiêm trọng nhất trong lịch sử Sri Lanka kể từ tháng 5/2003 khi những trận lụt do gió mùa đã cướp đi sinh mạng của hơn 250 người và đẩy hàng chục nghìn người vào cảnh “màn trời chiếu đất”./.

According to VOV