The swelling north-east monsoon has brought record rainfall that has left two dead, prompted flash floods disrupting traffic and destroying crops, especially in the Northern, Eastern, North Central, Uva and Central provinces and the Hambantota district. The Department of Meteorology, however, said the lead up to Christmas is expected to get drier.Sri Lanka Air force last afternoon launched a search and rescue operation from Hingurakgoda to Panichchankerni deploying its Bell 212.Around 26 persons had been stranded due to sudden inundation resulting from heavy showers in the area.
