美国国家公共电台 NPR 斯里兰卡遭遇14年来最严重洪灾

 

First story today takes us to Sri Lanka. It's an island nation in the Indian Ocean, a little larger than the U.S. state of West Virginia, and about half a million Sri Lankans have been affected¹ by the worst flooding the nation has seen in 14 years. It was brought on by the monsoon² rains which typically hit in May, but this year's rains were heavier than usual and they came after two months of drought.

The result floods have killed more than 160 people, around a hundred others are still missing and Sri Lankan authorities expect a number of deaths to rise as the rains continue.

It's not just flooding. Landslides³ have occurred across the country. Some have blocked roads and officials have warned the people who've been stranded⁴ about the possibility of crocodile attacks.

In addition to the Red Cross, the neighboring country of India has sent ships, divers⁵ and medical teams. Other countries are also sending aid, as many Sri Lankans have lost everything they had.

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 monsoon   

n.季雨，季风，大雨

参考例句：

• The monsoon rains started early this year.今年季雨降雨开始得早。
• The main climate type in that region is monsoon.那个地区主要以季风气候为主要气候类型。

3 landslides   

山崩( landslide的名词复数 )； （山坡、悬崖等的）崩塌； 滑坡； （竞选中）一方选票占压倒性多数

参考例句：

• Landslides have cut off many villages in remote areas. 滑坡使边远地区的许多村庄与外界隔绝。
• The storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona. 风暴致使萨沃纳发生塌方和洪灾。

4 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

5 divers   

adj.不同的；种种的

参考例句：

• He chose divers of them,who were asked to accompany him.他选择他们当中的几个人，要他们和他作伴。
• Two divers work together while a standby diver remains on the surface.两名潜水员协同工作，同时有一名候补潜水员留在水面上。