At least 153 people have been killed in Sri Lanka after landslides and flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, officials said Saturday, with 191 others missing and more than half a million affected across the country.
The Disaster Management Centre said more than 78,000 people were moved to nearly 800 relief centers, many of which were set up in schools. Thousands of police, navy personnel and army troops are distributing food, clearing roads and rescuing trapped families.
Among those displaced is Mallika Kumari, who said her home near the Kelani River in Malwana was submerged up to the roof.
“We just rushed out of the house without anything,” she told Reuters.
Heavy rains are forecast to continue through the weekend, raising fears of further flooding in low-lying areas.