Heavy rains claim 26 lives in Sri Lanka

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti and Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka /ANKARA

Floods and landslides caused by heavy rains across Sri Lanka claimed 91 lives and left 110 people missing, an emergency official said Friday.

According to the Disaster Management Center (DMC), more than 50,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected by the island-wide inclement weather.

Rains on Thursday and Friday flooded the country’s four main rivers.

The fatalities included people buried under debris from a landslide at midnight in Baduraliya, a town 60 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of the capital Colombo.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the next 48 hours, as the government is trying to reach the affected areas.

Hundreds are currently being evacuated from the southern districts of Galle, Matara, and Hambantota, where torrential rains have caused floods.

The navy and army are assisting in the evacuation and rescue program, said Disaster Management Center spokesman Pradeep Kodippili.

Meanwhile, the Urban Development Authority has issued a directive to immediately remove construction that is disturbing the flow of water in reservoirs and canals.

In addition, Turkey expressed condolences to Sri Lanka later on Friday.

In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved relatives of those who lost their lives and the people of Sri Lanka, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

"In these difficult times, Turkey stands by Sri Lanka and is ready to help if there is ."

In 2016, Sri Lanka suffered severe flooding and landslides that claimed more than 100 lives.