Cyclone Burevi devastates North-East

Fishermen in Mannar examine their wrecked boats.

 

03 December 2020

Tens of thosuands of people across the North-East have been impacted by Cyclone Burevi as it slammed into the island this week, leaving homes destroyed, scores displaced and at least one person missing.

Wind speeds reached up to 90 kilometres per hour with rainfall exceeding 200mm in the affected areas as the cyclone hit and moved towards Tamil Nadu.

The scene in Jaffna this morning.

More than 75,000 people were evacuated in the Eastern Province, mainly around Trincomalee, as the cyclone arrived on Wednesday. The displaced are being housed in 237 relief centres that have been set up until the cyclone passes.

In Jaffna, one person was reported missing and at least 4 people injured in Valvettithurai town. Thousands more were displaced in Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya.

See Sri Lankan government figures from the districts here.

Two women wade through water in Mullaitivu.

Schools across the North-East were declared shut until at least Friday, as heavy rainfall continues across the Tamil homeland.

In Kilinochchi, at least 15 houses were reported to have been completely destroyed, with some 170 partially damaged by the cyclone. Meanwhile in Mannar, more than 200 boats were damaged, deeply impacting on the livelihood of fishermen in the area.

See more photos from across the North-East below.

 

Mannar

 

Mullaitivu

 

Jaffna