Rains hit Lanka search for landslide victims

Heavy rain today hindered efforts to find trapped victims in southwestern Sri Lanka as the death toll rose to 43, a day after massive landslides and floods in the region following three days of torrential rains.
Villages in Aranayake district in the hilly Kegalle region yesterday were hit by the landslides which buried at least 80 houses.
Officials said of the over 150 people missing, 17 bodies have been found while the search was ongoing. Several people still remain unaccounted for, state administrative officials in the area said.
President Maithripala Sirisena visited the site yesterday and ordered immediate rescue and relief action.

The death toll in the flood-hit areas was confirmed as 43 by noon today, Disaster Management Centre said.
A total of 286 houses have been completely destroyed while a further 3,057 have suffered partial damage.
The weather office said that the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone storm 'Roamu' and is now located 500 kms north of Kankesanturai in the north. Strong winds also remain a possibility.
The Education Department said schools throughout the country will remain closed as a precaution.