The 2003 Sri Lanka cyclone produced the worst flooding in that country in 56 years. The first storm of the 2003 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, it developed over the Bay of Bengal on May 10 and reached peak maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) on May 13, making it a very severe cyclonic storm according to the India Meteorological Department. In the wake of prolonged precipitation during the first half of May, the stationary cyclone in the central Bay of Bengal produced torrential rains across southwest Sri Lanka, especially in the mountains. A station at Ratnapura recorded 366.1 millimetres (14.41 in) of rainfall in 18 hours on May 17, including 99.8 mm (3.93 in) in one hour. Flooding and landslides destroyed 24,750 homes and damaged 32,426 others, displacing about 800,000 people. Damage totaled about US$135 million, and there were 260 deaths. The cyclone also produced some rainfall in the Indian Andaman and Nicobar Islands and along India's eastern coast. The storm funneled moisture away from the mainland, possibly contributing to a heat wave that killed 1,900 people.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Sri_Lanka_cyclone

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1645:

English Civil War: In the Battle of Naseby, the main army of King Charles I was defeated by the Parliamentarian New Model Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Naseby

1800:

War of the Second Coalition: In the Battle of Marengo, Napoleonic forces secured victory over the Habsburgs when defeat had appeared inevitable until the arrival of French troops led by Louis Desaix. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marengo

1846:

Anglo-American settlers in the Town of Sonoma began a rebellion against Mexico, proclaiming the California Republic and eventually raising a homemade flag with a bear and star. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Republic

1966:

The Vatican formally abolished its 427-year-old list of prohibited books. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_Librorum_Prohibitorum

1999:

Thabo Mbeki took office as the second President of South Africa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thabo_Mbeki

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

dark horse: 1. (idiomatic) Someone who possesses talents or favorable characteristics that are not known or expected by others. 2. (idiomatic, politics) A candidate for an election who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dark_horse

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

In the end, you're measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish.   --Donald Trump https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Donald_Trump