Rescue efforts to reach thousands stranded in catastrophic Sri Lanka flooding

Record ID: 102538

  • Title: Rescue efforts to reach thousands stranded in catastrophic Sri Lanka flooding
  • Date: 21st May 2016
  • Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (MAY 21, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FLOODED STREETS, SEEN FROM RESCUE BOAT RESIDENTS ON UPPER FLOOR OF HOME STRANDED MAN COLLECTING SUPPLIES FROM RESCUE BOAT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PUSHING VEHICLE THROUGH FLOOD WATERS (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) MAN HELPING WITH FOOD SUPPLIES, J.K. HERMAN, SAYING: "Those who are on the second floor have no problems. They are fine. But water levels keep increasing. It will come down only if it stops raining." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WADING THROUGH FLOOD WATERS VARIOUS OF NAVY MEMBERS WITH RESCUE BOATS MORE OF PEOPLE WADING THROUGH FLOOD WATERS PEOPLE ARRIVING IN BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) VOLUNTEER DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO STRANDED, D.M. JAYASIRI, SAYING: "There are dead animals all over the place. We have been distributing food and water to people who are still staying in the upper floors of buildings. In some areas the flood levels are much higher than here." VARIOUS OF NAVY MEMBERS IN BOAT WITH RESCUED PEOPLE MEN IN KAYAK
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2016 12:24
  • Keywords: Sri Lanka Colombo flooding mud slide landslide
  • Location: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • City: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Floods
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014IR1RGN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Days of torrential rains in Sri Lanka has forced over 375,000 from their homes and stranded thousands in the worst flooding to hit the island nation in decades.
    The government estimates 200,000 of the displaced are from the capital of Colombo alone, where on Saturday (May 21) the country's military continued efforts to reach survivors clinging to rare dry patches and the upper floors of their homes.
    Small rescue boats could be seen in the city cruising flooded streets, rescuing hundreds from neighbourhoods where cars once drove.
    At least 71 have died from the flooding and two accompanying landslides, believed to be the worst to hit the country in 25 years. Officials say 127 are still missing in the landslides, which left feet of mud in their wake.
    Media organisations and civil groups have launched public appeals for food, water, and clothing.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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