More displaced by floods

Hemanthi Guruge

Over 24,000 people in several districts have been affected by floods an increase from 17,000. Eight deaths due to floods and landslides have been reported so far while over 400 people have been displaced, the Disaster Management Centre said.

Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo, Gampaha , Kurunegala and Ratnapura districts have been the hardest hit. Almost 50 houses have been damaged and 234 houses have been partially damaged due to the flood caused by heavy rain.

Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said yesterday, they have taken every possible measure to help distressed families. Cooked meals and dry rations are being provided to the affected people.

Landslides caused by heavy rain has killed four people and affected over 1,300 people in the Kegalle District. Nearly 46 houses have been damaged and 214 houses partially damaged.

Two persons from Kalutara have also been killed by lightning.

Over 14,000 people from 3,342 families have been affected by rains in the Colombo district and 419 persons have been evacuated to temporary shelters. The Navy has deployed boats to assist flood victims.