Sri Lanka closes schools as floods hammer the capital

Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka has closed schools in its capital, Colombo, and its suburbs as heavy rains triggered floods in many parts of the island nation. Heavy downpours over the weekend wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, flooding homes, fields and roads. The country’s Disaster Management Center reported that three people drowned and some 134,000 people have been affected by flooding. The center said rains and floods have damaged 240 houses and nearly 7,000 people have been evacuated. Authorities have cut electricity in some areas as a precaution. Navy and army troops have been deployed to rescue victims and provide food and other essentials.