Story highlights Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding across Sri Lanka

Rescue teams are working to free people caught in landslides

(CNN) Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by floodwaters and landslides after a major storm hammered Sri Lanka.

At least 37 people have died and 21 are missing after three days of incessant rains that came just a couple weeks before the monsoon season.

Emergency workers have been rescuing people trapped in their homes by rising waters. Fields and streets are submerged throughout the country.

The Colombo-based Disaster Management Center says 223,687 people have been affected by the floods and landslides.

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