COLOMBO, May 19: Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 200 people, left as many missing and driven tens of thousands more from their homes.

Authorities said on Monday that further flooding and landslides could be on the way after a weekend in which the south of the country suffered its worst downpour in 60 years.

“We have to be prepared for more landslides and floods. The situation is serious,” Jayalath Jayawardene, the minister for rehabilitation, resettlement and refugees, told Reuters after detailing the latest toll for dead, missing and displaced.

“The impact on agriculture and livestock will be severe,” said K.P. Sugathapala, an administrative officer with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.

With about 100,000 people driven from their homes, the government geared itself for a massive relief effort and sought help from foreign governments.

India responded to a request for help and said it had sent a ship with a rescue helicopter, a team of doctors and divers and medicine and food.

The Meteorology Department said more rain was possible in the next few weeks, although the worst affected region — Ratnapura, about 100km southeast of the capital Colombo — had seen some respite from the rain since Saturday.

Malini Premaratne, the Ratnapura district secretary, said relief workers had been able to reach people who were stranded — some on rooftops and trees — and provide food and water.

Eighty one people died in Ratnapura due to landslides and drowning.

“One village was completely covered due to a landslide,” Premaratne said.

“Many relief agencies have come in to help. We have already distributed about 50,000 packets of food.”

The floods had receded in Ratnapura town by Monday as shop owners assessed damage.

“I am okay but there are plenty of stranded families,” said Asanga a business executive whose office on a second floor was spared.—Reuters