Nearly 450 flood-hit still in temporary shelters

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Around 450 persons from 99 families are still living in temporary shelters following the recent rains and floods, a Disaster Management Centre (DMC) spokesman said yesterday.

The spokesman said five evacuation centres in the Central Province still house 367 persons from 76 families.

Thirty three houses in Ambaganuwa, Mulatiyana, Pasgoda and Hambantota have been fully damaged while 248 houses were partially damaged during the recent floods.

According to a DMC report, 161 houses in Nuwara-Eliya district, 68 houses in Matara district and 19 houses in Hambantota district have been partially damaged. One death was reported form Nuwara-Eliya.

The situation in Matara and Hambantota districts is back to normal, DMC sources said.

Meanwhile, according to a Met Department report thundershowers will develop at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva Provinces today and spread to the Western and Southern coastal areas.

Showers can be expected along the Eastern coastal area in the morning and temporary localised fairly strong winds can also be expected during thundershowers. The public have been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning.