Landslides and flooding claim over 45 lives, several missing

(UPDATED) Heavy rains have triggered landslides and floods in several parts of the country, claiming over 45 lives, at least a dozen missing, thousands displaced and over 200,000 acres of paddy and other cultivations destroyed.

The Disaster Management Centre said majority of the deaths – at least 19 were reported from the Badulla district while deaths were also reported from Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and  Ampara districts.

More than 200,000 acres of paddy lands are underwater with the worst affected areas being Plonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Ampara districts which has been receiving 150 mm to 250 mm rains since Wednesday morning.

The incidents came as the depression over the South – Eastern part of Sri Lanka intensified into a deep depression and is centred near Batticaola.

It is very likely to move nearly north –Northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. Very strong winds at times 60 to 70 km can be expected over most parts of the island.

In a related development train services along the Eastern railway line have been suspended delayed as some of the tracks are underwater or trees have fallen across tracks.

The CEB has reported that several electricity lines have broken down and restoration is underway.

The National Building Research Organisation has issued red-alert landslide warning for eight high-risk districts.