WEATHER AFFECTS OVER 38,000

The Navy and the Puttalam District Disaster Management Unit helping evacuate inmates of the Madampe Pothuwila elders home who were stranded due to the floods yesterday. (Picture by Prasad Poornamal, Puttalam District group correspondent)

Ishara Mudugamuwa-Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Disaster Management Centre said a total of 68,000 persons belonging to 18,079 families have been affected across 19 districts due to the adverse weather prevailing in the country.

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director and Media Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said more than 6,710 people have been displaced and currently staying in 168 safer locations in nine districts.

Eight deaths have been reported so far and six out of those deaths were due to lightning incidents. The highest number of affected people has been reported from the Ratnapura District where a total of 13,033 people belonging to 3,287 families have been affected.

He said that the red notices issued for some areas regarding the possible disaster situation including landslides and floods are still valid and people should be vigilant about possible risks.

The Deputy Director requested residents in low-lying areas close to the Kelaniya, Nilwala, Gin and Kalu rivers to be vigilant and evacuate the area if necessary as the water levels in the rivers are still rising.

According to the Irrigation Department, water levels of Millakanda in Kalu Ganga, Baddegama in Gin Ganga, Dunamale in Attanagalu Oya and Panadugama in Nilwala river were rising.

Meteorology Department sources said the prevailing showery condition is expected to enhance in the north-western, western and southern sea areas during the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Batticaloa and in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. Heavy showers can be expected at some places in the above shore areas.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other sea areas.

The coastal belt extending from Kankesanturai to Potuvil via Puttalam, Colombo and Hambantota can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph at times.

Strong gusty winds and rough seas can be expected along with thundershowers. Naval and fishing communities are also requested to be vigilant.