Floods hit Sri Lanka's capital as cyclone deaths near 200

CYCLONE DITWAH DISPLACES NEARLY A MILLION, DESTROYS 25,000 HOMES

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People wade through floods after heavy rains in Wellampitiya on Colombo's outskirts Saturday.

(AFP)

Entire areas of Sri Lanka's capital were flooded yesterday after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island, with authorities reporting nearly 200 dead and dozens more missing.

Officials said the extent of the damage in the country's worst-affected central region was only just being revealed as relief workers cleared roads blocked by fallen trees and mudslides.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said at least 193 people had died following a week of heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, while 228 people were missing.