DELUGE

220 Families Lost in Sri Lanka Mudslides

At least 16 people dead.

Officials said about 220 families were missing Wednesday and at least 16 people were killed after torrential rain caused mudslides in three Sri Lankan villages. Rescuers fear that many of the missing are buried under debris in the towns of Siripura, Elagipitya, and Pallebage in Kegalle District. Some 180 people have been rescued from the landslide by hundreds of soldiers deployed to search for survivors. More than 1,000 people were already being sheltered and treated for minor injuries. The rain still hadn’t stopped Wednesday afternoon, making rescue efforts more difficult and leading officials to warn that more landslides are still possible.