Over 31 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka

NN ONLINE:

More than 31 people have died and 14 others are missing after days of heavy rain triggered landslides and flooding across Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities have suspended passenger train services and shut down several roads as severe rainfall continues to unleash deadly landslides and floods, officials reported Thursday (November 27).

According to the government’s disaster management center, 18 of the confirmed deaths were in the central highland districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, well-known tea plantation areas located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Colombo. The center also stated that 14 people remained unaccounted for Thursday following landslides in the same region.

Since last week—when the country first began experiencing the intense weather—the overall death toll has climbed to 31. Torrential rains over the weekend inundated roads, farmland, and homes, causing widespread disruption.

Train services in some mountainous areas were halted after landslides sent rocks, mud, and fallen trees onto rail lines. Local television footage showed crews working to clear the debris. Several roads were also closed because of deep flooding. Roughly 4,000 families have been affected by the severe weather, officials said.