Tissawewa and Yodawewa overflow

Mohammed Naalir

HAMBANTOTA: Due to the prevailing rainy weather several areas in Hambanthota, Lunugamvehera and Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat Divisions are under water. Tisawewa and Yodawewa started to overflow and the flood threats are increasing, Assistant Director Emergency Operations Wing Commander Dammika Jayasooriya said.

Five temporary camps have been set up in Tissamaharama Sarvodaya Praja Salawa, Yodawatta Devananda Vidyalaya, Magama Vidyalaya, Kirinda Maha Vidyalaya and Kirindagama Vidyalaya to house the flood victims. One hundred and forty three persons from 45 families affected by floods have been sheltered in Tissamaharama Patasalawa camp and nearly 25 families have been sheltered at the Yodhawaththaviya Viharaya.

Sluice gates at Lunugamvehara have been opened to release the additional water. Due to floods Andharayaya and Kirinda areas are fully under water and nearly 10,000 of 2,000 families in these areas have been marooned. Due to the Kirimetiya earthslip 81 houses are on the verge of collapse and eight houses in Rikillagaskada area are also under threat, Deputy Director of Disaster Management Centre Ramya Siriwansa said.

Due to prevailing rainy weather 14 houses and 24 estate line rooms are also about to collapse.

The Hambanthota district was worse affected by flood. Many families have been settled in two temporary refugee camps. One hundred houses in Kataragama Paragirigama are under earthslip threat, Siriwansa added.