Death toll in Sri Lanka flooding, mudslides tops 200

As waters recede in Sri Lanka, the country's disaster management agency said Wednesday the death toll from flooding and mudslides has topped more than 200.


The Disaster Management Center reported 202 people died and 94 were still missing after an early-season monsoon struck the island nation off India's eastern coast last week.

On Monday it was reported that nearly a half million people were displaced by the flooding, the worst on the island since 2003.

Overflowing rivers were the cause of most of the damage, the Indian Express said. Mudslides are increasingly common on the island since forests have been cleared to grow export products, notably tea and rubber.
 [upi.com]
31/5/17