Severe floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have led to the closure of government offices and schools, resulting in the loss of 56 lives.

The country has been battered by heavy rainfall, causing widespread flooding of structures and infrastructure, as well as triggering landslides. The excessive downpours have also led to the overflowing of reservoirs and rivers, blocking various roadways.

Due to deteriorating weather conditions in the tropical nation, the government has announced the closure of schools and all government offices on Friday, November 28.

Fatalities from the recent natural disasters include more than 25 individuals who perished in landslides on Thursday, November 27, in the Badulla and Nuwara Eliya regions, located approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Colombo. In addition, 14 people sustained injuries, and 21 individuals were reported missing in these areas.

Further casualties occurred in landslides in various parts of the nation, as indicated by the Associated Press.

To mitigate the impact of the disasters, authorities have halted passenger train services and closed off numerous road networks due to blockages caused by debris and flooding in certain regions.

Local television footage, as reported by the AP, showed dramatic rescue operations where the air force deployed helicopters to save individuals stranded on rooftops engulfed by floodwaters. Meanwhile, the navy and police utilized boats to evacuate residents to safety.

In a tragic incident near the town of Ampara in the east, floodwaters swept away a car, resulting in the deaths of three passengers.

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