Sri Lanka Death Toll from Mudslides, Flooding is Over 200

Colombo – The death toll from mudslides and floods in Sri Lanka has climbed past 200, with 96 others missing, the government said on Wednesday.

The Disaster Management Center said 203 people were confirmed dead. Over 77,000 have been displaced and over 1,500 homes destroyed since rains began inundating the southern and western areas of the Indian Ocean island nation last week.

With an increasing number of displaced people and a lack of space in temporary shelters, many people are at risk of disease, the UN said.

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake met foreign envoys in Sri Lanka and appealed for assistance. He said 24 countries have already extended help.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the tropical Indian Ocean Island as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops.