Floods kill 6 in Sri Lanka

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least six people were killed due to floods caused by heavy rains in Sri Lanka.

A large tree fell onto a moving bus, resulting in five fatalities and 17 injuries, in Colombo on Friday, according to the state-run Lankapuvath news agency.

Separately, a rock fell on a house during a mudslide in the Galle district, leading to one more fatality, the Disaster Management Center said.

The floods have also caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes in 12 districts, affecting more than 50,000 people, it said, adding some 1,473 families have been relocated to temporary shelters.

The coastal district of Matara was the hardest hit, with most parts flooded for more than a week, resulting in the closure of schools on Friday due to flood-related risks and landslides.

The center also said that heavy rains of about 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) are expected in some places in western, and southern provinces.