BAD WEATHER AFFECTS 89,868

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The number affected by bad weather has risen to 89,868, Disaster Management Centre sources said. The sources said as of noon yesterday, 89,868 people belonging to 20,720 families have been affected by floods and gale force winds in the Western, Uva and Central Provinces while 7,720 persons from 1,841 families were evacuated to safety. Wattala, Jaela, Katana, Kelaniya, Biyagama and Mahara in the Gampaha district have been badly hit by floods. Around 47,380 persons belonging to 11,499 families in these areas have been affected by floods, the DMC sources said.

Meanwhile, about 42,466 persons belonging to 9,215 families in Thimbirigasyaya, Kolonnawa and Kotte have also been affected by floods.

Akurana and Koralaya in Kandy district have also been badly affected by heavy rain and strong winds with 14 persons affected. Six persons in Laggala have been affected by lightning related incidents. Two persons in Haliela in Badulla have also been affected by landslides.

Meteorology Department sources predicted that showers or thundershowers will be fairly widespread over the island during the afternoon and night. Heavy falls are also likely at some places. Showers or thundershowers can be expected in the Western and Southern provinces during the morning. General public is kindly request to be vigilant about heavy rain, lightning activities and localized strong winds during thundershowers