Floods in Ja-Ela

JAELA: The recent heavy rains have caused a flood situation in the Jaela electorate for the first time, said Jaela Divisional Secretary W.A. Vijitha Premapriya.

According to him 21 Grama Niladari areas have gone under water displacing over 20,000 people covering about 3731 families altogether.

He said that steps have been taken by the Secretariat to evacuate families affected by the floods to safe places using boats belonging to the disaster management unit of the Navy. Boats were used to evacuate about 300 families in Kotugoda, Bolanda and Maeliya, he added.

"We have also found them temporary shelter in schools and provide them food and other essential needs. We have been assisted by the Navy, Air Force, Police and other humanitarian groups working in the area. Premapriya pointed out that water level at the Jaela has risen and to prevent the spilling of water reach the bare land they have placed sand bags along the banks of the river.

He also said that Police using the public address system requested the people to move to safe places by informing them of the possible danger of floods.