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Sri Lanka Landslide’s Toll Is Less Than Previously Thought, Officials Say Sri Lanka Landslide’s Toll Is Lower Than Previously Thought, Officials Say
(about 2 hours later)
NEW DELHI — Disaster management officials said Thursday that fewer people than previously believed were dead or unaccounted for after a landslide at a tea plantation in central Sri Lanka, but that the death toll appeared certain to rise as recovery efforts continued.NEW DELHI — Disaster management officials said Thursday that fewer people than previously believed were dead or unaccounted for after a landslide at a tea plantation in central Sri Lanka, but that the death toll appeared certain to rise as recovery efforts continued.
Pradeep Kodippili, an official with the Disaster Management Center in Sri Lanka, said that three bodies had been recovered so far, not six as officials said Wednesday. He also said that 192 people were believed to be missing, not 300 as previously stated. Pradeep Kodippili, an official with the Disaster Management Center in Sri Lanka, said that three bodies had been recovered so far, not six as officials had said Wednesday. He also said that 192 people were believed to be missing, not 300 as previously stated.
Recovery workers were still searching for the dead through thick mud at the Meeriyabedda tea plantation in the district of Badulla, where about 150 homes were buried Wednesday morning in a landslide set off by days of monsoon rains. Most of the homes were small rooms, attached to one another, where plantation workers lived.Recovery workers were still searching for the dead through thick mud at the Meeriyabedda tea plantation in the district of Badulla, where about 150 homes were buried Wednesday morning in a landslide set off by days of monsoon rains. Most of the homes were small rooms, attached to one another, where plantation workers lived.
Udaya Kumara, a Disaster Management Center official in Badulla, said that the center had passed along a warning to the villagers on Tuesday night that a landslide was possible, but that the disaster had struck before they were able to leave. Udaya Kumara, a Disaster Management Center official in Badulla, said that the center had warned villagers on Tuesday night that a landslide was possible, but that the disaster had struck before they were able to leave.
An official with another agency, the National Building Research Organization, which issued the original warning, had said Wednesday that its bulletin, which the disaster center was supposed to disseminate, had not reached the villagers. An official with the National Building Research Organization, which issued the original warning, had said Wednesday that its bulletin, which the disaster center was supposed to disseminate, had not reached the villagers.
Mr. Kodippili said 800 people from neighboring areas had been evacuated to two nearby schools because of the risk of more landslides. He said hundreds of people had joined the recovery and relief efforts on Thursday, including government personnel, aid workers, soldiers and local volunteers. Mr. Kodippili said 800 people from neighboring areas had been evacuated to two nearby schools because of the risk of more landslides. He said that hundreds of people had joined the recovery and relief efforts on Thursday, including government personnel, aid workers, soldiers and local volunteers.