Over Rs 142 m disbursed as relief

Disna Mudalige

The number of deaths caused by floods and heavy rain has risen to 38 while four persons were missing and 52 persons were injured, said the Disaster Management Center (DMC) yesterday. Batticaloa recorded the highest number of deaths, numbering 18. Ten persons in Ampara, eight persons in Kandy, one in Badulla and one in Vauniya have also died. The government has disbursed about Rs 142 million to flood affected areas, DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said.

He said that various organizations and institutions are also engaged in collecting relief.

The DMC also dispatched material assistance for the flood victims. He noted that the flood level in most areas are now receding and people have started moving back to their houses.

According to DMC statistics a total of 1,079,842 people belonging to 286,997 families are affected islandwide due to persisting bad weather. It was reported that 3,859 houses were fully damaged while 19, 368 houses were partially damaged throughout the island. About 204,118 persons belonging to 53,216 are still in 435 IDP camps.

In the Batticaloa district, worst affected by floods 241 IDP camps are operating providing shelter for 122,505 persons belonging to 31,651 families. The total number of persons affected in this district is 540,144. The second worst affected district is Ampara where 444,843 persons are affected by floods while 55,884 people belonging to 14,863 families are in 77 IDP camps.

Meanwhile, 49 camps in Trincomalee, 24 camps in Polonnaruwa, 20 camps in Anuradhapura, nine camps in Kandy and five camps each in Matale and Mannar, three camps in Badulla and one camp each in Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam provide shelter for the displaced.

It was reported that 12 spill gates of Kaudulla tank, 10 of Parakrama Samudraya and eight of Minneriya wewa were opened while Giritale wewa in the Polonnaruwa District had over flown. Six spill gates were opened at Weheragala tank in the Moneragala District.

DMC also noted that six affected families in Nuwara Eliya were evacuated to Red Cross Community Center. It also stated that the Rikillagaskada- Denipe road was impassable due to earth slips and trees fallen onto the road. The Road Development Authority has been informed.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said that Eastern, Northern, North Central, Central and Uva Provinces as well as Hambantota District may experience intermittent showers today.

Thunder showers may also develop in other areas in the evening and night. The sea in the North and North East of the island will be somewhat rough due to strong winds.

The Met Department advised fishermen in the Northern, North Eastern and Eastern provinces to be cautious when going to sea.