Torrential floods hit Tamil North-East

Flooding in Jaffna this week

21 May 2016

Heavy rain and flooding battered the Tamil North-East this week, following torrential rains across much of the region. 

Floods have hit Kilinochchi and Jaffna, affecting hundreds of families in the Tamil North-East, who have had to abandon their homes.

Meanwhile more than 68 people have died from lightning strikes, drowning, falling trees and landslides triggered by the rains in the south, according to government updates. 

Hundreds of thousands have also left their homes as torrential rains continued.

Flooding in Kilinochchi this week

Hundreds are still feared to have been killed following a landslide in the southern Kegalle district.

The deaths have triggered an outpouring of international support for the Sri Lankan government, with India sending two naval ships with relief supplies and disaster assistance materials from the USA.

The government also lifted taxes on relief supplies sent by foreign donors, a practise which was in place during the massive 2004 Boxing Day tsunami (see here and here).