12/01/2025, 3:33 p.m12/01/2025, 3:33 p.m
The devastating landslides and floods following heavy rains in Sri Lanka in recent days have claimed at least 355 lives.
The storm triggered heavy rains that led to flooding.Image: EPA
Another 366 people are still missing. The state civil protection agency announced this based on updated figures. A day earlier on Sunday, authorities had confirmed around 190 deaths.
In an address to the population on Monday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke of “the largest and most challenging natural disaster” to hit the island nation. The rescue and search activities were therefore correspondingly difficult.
People walk through flooded streets in a suburb of Colombo.Image: EPA
More landslides
According to the authorities, the flood situation was slowly easing. But more landslides were reported. The central part of the country is particularly badly affected. The heavy rainfall was triggered by cyclone “Ditwah”. More than a million people had to leave their homes. Numerous roads, bridges and houses were destroyed by the storm. “Ditwah” left Sri Lanka for southern India on Saturday and the rains have eased since then.
Survivors of a landslide recover belongings.image: epa
Sri Lanka is still struggling with the consequences of a severe economic crisis that drove the country into bankruptcy three years ago. (sda/dpa)