Toll from Sri Lanka floods, landslides rises to 92

Rescue troops on Monday recovered at least seven more bodies from a landslide site in Sri Lanka's central Kegalle district, bringing the deaths from flash floods and landslides to 92, the Disaster Management Centre here said.

Kegalle district has recorded the highest number of deaths as 57 people were killed when two massive landslides struck Aranayake and Bulathkohupitiya last week, caused by heavy rains and strong winds.

The military said that search efforts were continuing in Aranayake as over 135 bodies were still buried under the mud and rock.

While downpours have ceased in several areas on Monday, the Disaster Management Centre said that people had to remain vigilant due to continuing monsoon showers.

So far 500,000 people have been affected by severe floods and landslides across the island country and over 250,000 have been shifted to temporary shelters.

--IANS

lok/vt