The death toll from the country’s flash floods and landslides rose to 41 on Thursday while over 400,000 people have been affected, according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC).

Assistant Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodippili stated that 302,997 persons who were displaced as a result of the prevailing adverse weather condition have been placed at 610 temporary shelters in several districts. 

Meanwhile rescue operations in search of persons missing due to the landslides in Bulathkohupitiya and Aranayaka in Kegalle District are still continuing, he said. 

The death toll from the two massive landslides which struck on Tuesday and Wednesday owing to strong winds and heavy rains, is expected to rise while hundreds remained missing.

As the water level of the Kelani River continues to rise, Mr Kodippili urged the people living in low-level areas to evacuate immediately and avoid waiting till the water increases. 

He stated that the Department of Meteorology has informed that the inclement weather conditions are expected to persist and that adequate security measures should be followed. 

He urged the public to move to secure locations as soon as signs of possible landslides appear and to contact disaster management center on 117, 2670002.

People remained trapped in certain areas due to floods and the military were conducting rescue missions.

Landslide warnings remained in at least 9 districts across the island country and people had been warned to remain cautious.

The Met. Department says that the depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified in to a deep depression, located to about 500km north of Kankasanturai, and is further moving away from the island.

There is a high possibility of a sudden increase of rain in the South-western part of the country. If so, fairly heavy to very heavy rainfall (100mm-150mm) are also expected at some places, it predicted. 

Strong windy conditions over the country and in the sea areas around the island will continue during next few days due to meeting of wind feeding to the system.

Showers or thunder showers will occur at times in North-Western, Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Mannar districts.

Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places in the Anuradhapura and Hambanthota districts.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, the department said.