COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Heavy rain and gale-force winds hit various parts of the country on Thursday, killing one person and affecting over 12,000 others, according to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre.

According to the Xinhua news agency, the affected persons are from 2,672 families in the districts of Ratnapura, Kandy, Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, and Matara.

Gampaha was the worst-hit district, with 8,517 persons from 2,448 families affected, sadi Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili of the Disaster Management Center. 

A disaster relief officer was killed as he was dragged away by strong currents.

In the previous week, heavy rain has been reported in various sections of the South Asian country.

Showers or thundershowers are expected to continue this week, according to the Department of Meteorology, with the possibility of flooding remaining.

Sri Lanka Cabinet approves proposal to alter Acts to increase state revenue

India sends another 40,000 MT of petrol to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka receives another 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India