Colombo: Indian Army doctors and Navy divers on May 20 joined major relief operations in Southern Sri Lanka, where devastating floods and mudslides have killed nearly 300 people.

The government announced in a statement that 237 people had been killed and 1,77,000 families displaced by floods and mudslides in five districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ham bantota.

However, the country's Rehabilitation Minister Jayalath Jayawardane said that the toll could be more than 300.

"The full extent of the tragedy and loss of human lives is unfolding as we reach remote areas," he said, adding, "According to the information I have, at least 300 people have died and this is not a final figure, it could be more."

Divers from the INS Sharda joined Lankan rescue teams shortly after docking at the Southern port of Galle on May 20.

The crew unloaded nine inflatable rubber dhingies and swung into action in the worst affected districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Matara and Galle, official sources said.

An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft landed in the capital with two heavy-duty recovery vehicles, tents, medical supplies and dry rations. A second IL-76 was expected later, they said.

India was the first country to respond to Sri Lanka's SOS following the week-end flooding and mudslides considered the worst in 50 years.

The US joined India and Norway in sending relief to Sri Lanka. The US Embassy said it was giving $ 50,000 to help flood victims while Norway gave $ 1 million on May 19.

PTI