By Bharatha Mallawarachi and Eranga Jayawardena / Associated Press
BELLANA, Sri Lanka — Floods and torrents of red mud unleashed by monsoon rains have killed at least 25 people in western and southern Sri Lanka, with another 42 people missing as officials warned Friday the situation could get worse.
Nearly 8,000 people have been displaced by flooding in the affected areas, according to the country’s Disaster Management Center.
The government advised people living near swollen rivers and hilly slopes prone to landslides to evacuate, as heavy rains that began Thursday were expected to continue. Homes and roads have been inundated. Schools were closed in the province of Sabaragamuwa, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) east of Colombo.
Aid groups, rescuers and other government workers were ordered to cancel any holidays and remain on alert for the next three days, Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana said.
Sailors, navy boats and air force helicopters were deployed to rescue marooned flood victims and provide emergency relief.
Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the Indian Ocean tropical island, amid heavy deforestation to grow export crops such as tea and rubber.
In May last year, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.
Mallawarachi reported from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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