More than 150 people feared killed by mudslides in Sri Lanka according to rescue officials. Officials furthermore said that the death toll would probably increase as rescue officials respond to the scene.
Rescue officials have recovered some bodies of the people caught in the mudslide, after three straight days of torrential rains. The disaster hit a mountainous region north east of colombo.
Sril Lanka's government has deployed troops to evacuate people living on slopes or in the flood hit areas. The Sri Lankan navy and airforce have also been called to the scene to assist in rescue efforts. Disaster Management Centre spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said Kegalle was prone to landslides and many people living there had fled their homes after the rains.
The meteorological department said the heavy rains were caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal and were expected to subside on Wednesday.
