• Monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have caused flooding and landslides, resulting in seven deaths.
• Three members of the same family died when their house flooded in Sitawaka, outside Colombo.
• Electricity supply cuts have affected several areas, and schools have been closed.

Monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have caused flooding and landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people, according to the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC). In Sitawaka, outside the capital, Colombo, three members of the same family died when their house flooded.

Several areas have experienced electricity supply cuts, and authorities have ordered schools to remain closed on Monday. Landslide warnings have been issued in nine districts.

DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili informed the BBC’s Sinhala service that the risk of flooding was rapidly increasing in Colombo and other areas of the south.

“Many areas have reportedly received more than 400mm of rain so far,” Mr Kodippili said. “The minor flood risk is increasing to a major flood risk.”

He urged Sri Lankans to pay attention to emergency announcements from the government and DMC. The DMC stated that the rains had affected 20 of the country’s 25 districts. The government announced that the military had been mobilized to provide relief to affected people.

Captain Dushan Wijesinghe, the Air Force spokesperson, informed BBC Sinhala that three helicopters and rescue teams had already been deployed to assist with relief efforts. Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, the Navy spokesperson, stated that 10 Navy teams had been deployed, with an additional 116 teams prepared for deployment.

The army announced that it was providing food to displaced people. Sulakshana Jayawardena from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy informed BBC Sinhala that electricity supplies had been disconnected in some areas.

“We have suspended power supplies in these areas in coordination with the DMC,” Mr Jayawardena said.

“After the floods subside, we will look at the situation and work to restore electricity.”

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