Many dead in Sri Lanka – cyclone causes severe flooding

Following Cyclone DITWAH, large areas of Sri Lanka are under water. Flooding and landslides have claimed the lives of at least 193 people, with 228 reported missing. More than a million people have been forced to leave their homes.

On Sunday, landslides occurred in the central highlands and a water reservoir burst in the north-east. More than 5,000 houses were destroyed and roads, bridges and power lines were severely damaged.

Rescue teams, supported by emergency services from India, evacuated those affected, distributed relief supplies and searched for people buried under rubble.

DITWAH has left the island heading towards southern parts of India and the rainfall is easing, but numerous low-lying regions, including areas around the capital Colombo, remain under water.

Things are also getting turbulent in the South China Sea: Tropical Storm KOTO is set to hit Vietnam in the next few days.