Sri Lanka floods death toll rises to 17

COLOMBO: Army relief workers in aluminum dinghies handed out rice and other food to residents in submerged parts of the Sri Lankan capital as the death toll from monsoon floods across the country rose to 17 on Monday.

The monsoon hits the South Asian country twice a year, bringing vital rain for irrigation and hydro-power generation but it can be deadly and destructive. At least 17 people have died since Friday after heavy downpours inundated 10 of the country's 25 districts.