Flooding hits Sri Lanka
Torrential rain and thunderstorms have caused flash flooding and landslides in several areas in Sri Lanka, including Ratnapura, Kalutara and Galle. More than 60,000 families across the country have been displaced by the floods, and so far seven people have died. The floods triggered a number of landslides that blocked roads, crushed houses and forced the evacuation of dozens of schools.
Over the past few days, seasonal thundery downpours have lashed the country, with more than 150mm (6 inches) of rain falling within 24 hours, leading to flooding of low-lying areas.
Sri Lanka can expect a brief respite from the rain as the potent thundery showers have cleared away eastwards. However, forecasters have warned that further thunderstorms could affect parts the country, as the outer rain bands of Tropical Cyclone Nargis clip Sri Lanka.
Cyclone Nargis is in the Bay of Bengal and is currently a category 2 storm. It is predicted to intensify further and make landfall in Bangladesh and Myanmar over the next four days. Disturbances in the atmosphere around the cyclone could give rise to heavy showers and thunderstorms in Sri Lanka in the next 24 hours, especially across eastern parts of the country.
