Floods in southern Sri Lanka kill 8

Floods in southern Sri Lanka kill 8

2011-11-26 06:11:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

COLOMBO (BNO NEWS) -- At least eight people have been killed and dozens more have been injured after strong winds and heavy rainfall hit Sri Lanka on Thursday, local media reported on Friday.

Gale-force winds ripped through several places in the southern districts of Matara and Galle, damaging more than 1,000 houses. An official with the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said at least eight people had been killed while some 50 others have been injured, the Sunday Times reported.

DMC Additional Director Pradeep Koddippili said at least four fishermen who had gone out to sea on Thursday night were confirmed to be among those killed. Another woman was crushed under a massive tree while the other victims are believed to have been killed when their homes collapsed.

In the Matara district alone, more than 5,300 people were left displaced by the severe weather. Many areas remained without power on Friday as the severe weather continued, hampering rescue efforts to find a number of missing fishermen.

The Department of Meteorology said that winds packing speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour) are set to hit the region from Friday night into Saturday, but ruled out cyclone conditions.

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