On the day Sri Lankan Airlines confirmed new direct flights between Colombo and Melbourne, the island nation was hit by what has been described as a ‘monsoonal downpour’ which has taken the lives of some 151 people.
A month’s worth of rain fell over Sri Lanka in less than a day, causing mass flooding and landslides, ABC News reported.
Some 151 have been found dead in the worst hits areas of the western coastal district of Kalutara, the central southern district of Ratnapura and the southern district of Matara.
Another 100 people are still missing, but authorities say there’s little hope of locating them alive, which could bring the death toll up to around 250.
#SriLanka faces more landslide risks as death toll rises to 151https://t.co/u1JYSHUIkz
— Financial Express (@FinancialXpress) May 28, 2017
Sri Lankan military and rescue teams are providing 185 evacuation shelters with supplies and aids, however, displaced locals say it’s not enough for everybody and are calling for urgent supplies from the United Nations.
Director for Charity at Oxfam Sri Lanka, Borjan Kolundzija, said the impact of early rain during the monsoon season has been “far more devastating” than expected and stressed the need for resupplies in food, water and temporary housing.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, told the ABC that her team is working with local authorities to determine what Australia can offer, while the UN is looking at delivering water purification tablets and tents.
More aids are being prepared concerning with the heavy floods which people in #SriLanka suffer in the beginning of #Ramadan#TheyAreWaiting pic.twitter.com/FOhVNMsxnC
— Humanitarian Relief (@IHHen) May 28, 2017
Australians are invited to support Oxfam’s response to the humanitarian crisis by donating to the International Crisis Fund or by calling 1800 034 034.
Meanwhile, severe rain has done little to impact travel to and from the destination, with services operating as scheduled from Bandaranaike International Airport.