Heavy floods, landslides in Sri Lanka; at least 9 killed

Heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least nine people as the monsoon season kicked off in the emerald country. 

Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka.

The government has put relief agencies on the ground as the size of the disaster has overwhelmed the country.

A spokesman for the disaster management said flooding has forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas where four main rivers have reached flood levels, while four districts are on "red alert" for possible landslides.

Spill gates of many reservoirs had to be opened across the Indian Ocean island, Reuters reported.

Sri Lanka had lost over 600,000 due to floods last year.