At least 16 people, although there are talk of 20, died and two others were reported missing in the floods that hit Sri Lanka and various regions of southern India, caused by the intense rains that have been produced for a week.
About half of the 25 districts of the country are affected by this flood, especially the central highlands region, where there are many tea plantations.
More than 5,000 people were forced to leave their homes and took refuge with relatives or at government-run aid centers, the country’s disaster management center said.
“There were five deaths and two disappearances” since the beginning of the rains at the end of October, he said. Pradeep Kodippili, from the island’s disaster management agency.
Weather forecasts and action by the authorities
New floods are expected in the coming days, with downpours in the direction of the north of the country, the country’s meteorological center warned.
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu (south), four people were killed in “incidents related to rain,” local minister in charge of disaster management, KKSSR Ramachandran, said on Sunday.
Authorities set up more than 150 camps to distribute food and help people who had to leave their homes, the minister added.
Most of the main roads and buildings of the capital, Chennai (formerly Madras) were flooded, and many trees were collapsed.
In 2015, more than 250 people died in this city after record rainfall.
With information from AFP | AP
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