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

Entire areas of Sri Lanka's capital were flooded on Nov 30 after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rain and mudslides across the island, with the authorities reporting at least 212 dead and many more missing.

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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 212 people had died following a week of heavy rain brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, while 218 people were missing.

The northern parts of Colombo were flooded as the water level in the Kelani River rose rapidly, the DMC said.

"Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains upstream are now flooding low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River," a DMC official said.

Cyclone Ditwah moved away towards India on Nov 29.

Ms Selvi, 46, a resident of the Colombo suburb of Wennawatte, left her flooded home on Nov 30, carrying four bags of clothes and valuables.

"My house is completely flooded. I don't know where to go, but I hope there is some safe shelter where I can take my family," she told AFP.