Sri Lanka
Floods triggered by torrential rains have killed at least 20 people and affected about a quarter of million people [1.25 percent of the population] in Sri Lanka.
“We have requested specially canned food such as canned fish and water, clothes for the flood affected people as an urgent need,” said the coordinator for the National Disaster Management Centre.
The forecast is for more rain in the coming days in the islaned lashed by southwest monsoon season, which runs from May to September.
Ravaged by a 25-year war between the government forces and Tamil Tigers, which has killed at least 70,000 people, much of the country’s infrastructure has been severely neglected. Sri Lanka has a population of 20 million.
Southern Germany
In the Killertal valley [“killer valley”] in southern Germany three people drowned in heavy floods unleashed by severe storms. The floods damaged buildings and swept cars away.
Eastern Ethiopia
In eastern Ethiopia flash floods killed 25 people, a government spokesman said. In the eastern city of Jijiga the Wabe Shebelle River burst its banks and floods swept away several houses. Most of Ethiopia is affected by a drought that has causes severe crops failure.
Chile
A couple leave a flooded house in San Carlos town, south of Santiago May 22, 2008. REUTERS/Sergio Pereira/La discusion de Chillan/Handout
In Chile heavy rains unleashed severe flooding killed nine people, forced 15,000 out of their homes, damaged 8,000 homes, collapsed roads and bridges and closed the world’s largest underground copper mine.
Colombia
A soldier stands in an area that was affected by a landslide in Medellin June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Fredy Amariles. image may be subject to copyright. See RTSF Fair Use Notice!
Landslide buried about 20 homes in a poor hillside neighborhood in the northern Colombian city of Medellin killing 19 people, with at least eight more were missing, authorities said.
Heave rain triggered flooding which collapsed bridges, blocked roads and damaged crops across the Andean country, forcing at least 100,000 people to abandon their homes.
Related Links
Fundamental Human Rights 