A roof of a house blown away by strong winds in Madampe. Picture by Prasad PurnamalBirthday

Strong winds damage over 50 houses

* Over 240 affected
* Lightning kills one, injures four

Chaminda Perera

Over 240 persons belonging to 59 families were affected following strong winds in the Gampaha district yesterday.

Disaster Management Centre Deputy Director Sarath Lal Kumara said three houses were totally damaged, while 56 houses were partially damaged in the Gampaha and Minuwangoda Divisional Secretariat divisions.

He said several houses in Bellummahara and Attanagalle were reportedly damaged due to strong winds and the Disaster Management Centre was waiting for confirmed reports of damages.

Meanwhile, one person died and four others were injured after being struck by lightning at Madampe in the Puttalam district yesterday.