COLOMBO The number of people known to have been killed in floods and landslides in Sri Lanka rose to 113, officials said on Saturday, as the country appealed for international assistance. The state-run disaster management centre said 91 people were still missing after the worst torrential rains since 2003.The Foreign Ministry said that in coordination with the Disaster Management Ministry, an appeal had been made to the United Nations and neighbouring countries to provide assistance "especially in the areas of search and rescue operations".India is sending three Navy ships with supplies and other aid, the first of which arrived in Colombo on Saturday night.

Officials said deaths were reported from the western coastal district of Kalutara, the central southern district of Ratnapura and the southern district of Matara.Sri Lankan military and rescue teams have used boats and helicopters, but officials said access to some areas was very difficult.

The early rainy season downpours have forced many families from their homes and affected over 270,000 people across the nation.Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said multiple landslides were reported in Kalutara, Ratnapura and Matara.

Military spokesman Roshan Senevirathne said more than 2,000 military personnel had been deployed to help the police and civilian agencies.The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka's south is usually from May to September.The island nation also gets heavy rains in the North West monsoonal season from November to February.Sri Lankan meteorology officials said Thursday's rains were the worst since 2003 and they expected more in the coming days. (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Andrew Bolton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.</s>Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 91 people while more than 100 are missing after torrential rain, officials said on Friday, as soldiers fanned out in boats and in helicopters to help with rescue operations.The early rainy season downpours have forced hundreds of people from their homes across the Indian Ocean island."There are at least five landslides reported in several places in Kalutara," said police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody, referring to the worst-hit district on the island's west coast."Rescue operations are still taking place."The disaster management center said 91 people had been killed and 110 were missing.The center said 38 deaths were reported from Kalutara while 46 were reported from the central southern district of Ratnapura.Military Spokesman Roshan Senevirathne said about 400 military personnel had been deployed with boats and helicopters to help the police and civilian agencies.The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka's south is usually during the southern monsoon, from May to September. The island nation also receives heavy rains in the North West monsoonal season from November to February.and they expected more rain in the coming days as the South-west monsoon condition had established over the country.(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez)</s>The death toll as a result of landslides and floods that occurred due to the heavy rainfall, affecting 14 districts has risen to 100. The Disaster Management Centre said that 110 people are missing as a result of the disaster conditions.

The adverse weather has affected 53,000 people in the country.

Assistant Director of the DMC, Pradeep Kodippili said that the districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara, Galle, Hambantota and Gampaha have been the most adversely affected by floods and landslides.

The DMC notes that 47 deaths have been reported as a result of the adverse weather conditions in the Ratnapura district, while 38 deaths and 72 missing persons have been reported from the Kalutara district.

According to the Assistant Director of Kalutara District Disaster Management Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Prabath Jayasinghe, 22 individuals have sustained injuries following floods in Kalutara.

He said that sixteen provincial secretarial divisions were affected in the district.District secretary Pradeep Rathnayaka said that 11 deaths were reported from the Matara district.

A number of provincial secretarial divisions were also affected by floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, two deaths have been reported from the Kegalle district and another two from the Gampaha district.

According to the Assistant Director of Disaster Management for the Colombo district, more than 11,000 people have been severely affected by the inclement weather in the Kolonnawa, Padakka, Kaduwela, Seethawaka and Homagama provincial secretariats.

Army Spokesperson, Brigadier Roshan Senevirathne notes that 1,200 army personnel have been deployed to assist in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Sulakshana Jayawardana notes that the ministry has taken steps to halt the supply of electricity as a safety measure in the areas that are currently experiencing flooding.</s>Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 91 people while more than 100 are missing after torrential rain, officials said on Friday, as soldiers fanned out in boats and in helicopters to help with rescue operations.

The early rainy season downpours have forced hundreds of people from their homes across the Indian Ocean island.

“There are at least five landslides reported in several places in Kalutara,” said police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody, referring to the worst-hit district on the island’s west coast.

The disaster management center said 91 people had been killed and 110 were missing.

The center said 38 deaths were reported from Kalutara while 46 were reported from the central southern district of Ratnapura.

Military Spokesman Roshan Senevirathne said about 400 military personnel had been deployed with boats and helicopters to help the police and civilian agencies.

The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka’s south is usually during the southern monsoon, from May to September. The island nation also receives heavy rains in the North West monsoonal season from November to February.

Sri Lankan meteorology officials said Thursday’s rains are the worst since 2003 and they expected more rain in the coming days as the South-west monsoon condition had established over the country.</s>Colombo: The number of people known to have been killed in floods and landslides in Sri Lanka rose to 113, officials said on Saturday, as the country appealed for international assistance.

The Foreign Ministry said that in coordination with the Disaster Management Ministry, an appeal had been made to the United Nations and neighbouring countries to provide assistance "especially in the areas of search and rescue operations".

India is sending three Navy ships with supplies and other aid, the first of which arrived in Colombo on Saturday night.

Officials said deaths were reported from the western coastal district of Kalutara, the central southern district of Ratnapura and the southern district of Matara.

The early rainy season downpours have forced many families from their homes and affected over 270,000 people across the nation.

Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said multiple landslides were reported in Kalutara, Ratnapura and Matara.

The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka's south is usually from May to September.

The island nation also gets heavy rains in the North West monsoonal season from November to February.

Sri Lankan meteorology officials said Thursday's rains were the worst since 2003 and they expected more in the coming days.</s>Indian Navy swings into action to join flood relief operations at Sri Lanka.</s>Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Rescuers dig for Sri Lanka mudslide victims

Flooding and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains have left at least 91 people dead and more than 100 missing in Sri Lanka, officials say.

About 20,000 have been forced from their homes in the south and west of the country, rescue agencies said.

Military boats and helicopters have been sent to help rescue operations.

The flooding is believed to be the worst since May 2003 when a similarly powerful south-west monsoon destroyed 10,000 homes and killed 250 people.

Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the death toll was rising as reports filtered in from outlying areas.

"The south-west monsoon began with very intense rain," Dunesh Gankanda, deputy minister for disaster management, told reporters in the capital, Colombo.

"There are some areas where we are unable to reach, but relief operations are under way."

Image copyright AFP Image caption Many roads have been cut off, the government said, hampering the rescue effort

One of the worst affected areas is reported to be the south-western district of Kalutara. Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said at least five mudslides had been reported there.

The DMC issued evacuation notices to residents along the Kelani river, which flows through Colombo, amid fears that it was about to burst its banks.

"Residents who are living along the Kelani should evacuate to high ground within six hours," the agency said.

As the death toll rose, the government appealed to the UN and to neighbouring countries for assistance.

"The (foreign) ministry will continue to monitor the flood situation and seek assistance as required in consultation with the ministry of disaster management," the government said in a statement.</s>At least six people were killed and several others went missing when two landslides were reported from different locations in Bulathsinhala in Sri Lanka's southern Kalutara District on Friday following strong winds and heavy rainfalls, police said. Meanwhile, police said that several people were also missing due to a flood situation in Agalawatta of Kalutara district and the tri forces and rescue teams had been deployed on rescue missions.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Xinhuanet.</s>An Indian ship loaded with relief material and rescue and medical teams reached Sri Lanka on Saturday after the island nation was hit by severe rain and subsequent landslides that claimed over 90 lives.

“On the directive of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi last night (Friday), INS Kirch arrives in Sri Lanka with relief material and rescue and medical teams today (Saturday) morning,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.

In a separate tweet, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake received the ship at the Colombo port.

Over 52,000 people have been displaced after hours of severe rain and strong winds and as many as 91 people have died in the tragedy with over 100 missing. According to the Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka has witnessed the worst rainfall since the 1970s.

Earlier, condoling the loss of lives and property and assuring aid from India, Modi said: “The first ship will reach Colombo on Saturday morning. The second will reach on Sunday. Further assistance is on its way.”

At the invitation of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, the Prime Minister was earlier this month in the southern neighbour as chief guest at the UN-recognised 14th International Vesak Day celebrations to mark the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha.</s>With Sri Lanka being hit by floods and landslides, India has rushed naval ships with relief material to the island nation.

One of the ships reached Sri Lanka this morning and another will reach tomorrow.

In a series of tweets last night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India stands by the people of the island nation and that ships are being rushed with relief material.

He also condoled the death of 90 people due to rain- triggered floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

Heavy floods and landslides triggered by the worst rainfall since 1970s have killed over 90 people and left 110 missing in Sri Lanka, officials said, warning the situation could get worse.
Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka reports that 91 people are killed and 110 people from 14 districts are missing due to flood and landslide.