Nearly 75,000 people flood-affected

• 74,946 people from 22,121 families affected: DMC
• Death toll rises to six, thousands relocated to temporary shelters 
• Batticaloa one of worst affected areas
• Navy deployed to clean wells contaminated by floods 
• Met. Dept. says rains could be easing

Floods caused by days of torrential rain continued to batter Sri Lanka yesterday with the death toll rising to six, affecting 74,946 people and 22,121 families, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Batticaloa District was one of the most affected areas, with 20,403 people hit by floods and 3,122 relocated to temporary shelters. Three deaths were reported from Kurunegala, and Monaragala, Kandy, and Kalutara Districts had one death each.

Heavy rains, strong winds, landslides, and flooding have also resulted in damage to 68 houses and partial damage to 1,601 houses, and the DMC has so far provided Rs. 550,000 in funds for damage to houses in the Anuradhapura and Kandy Districts.

Over Rs. 13 million has been allocated from the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) and Rs. 2.8 million has been allocated for emergency relief efforts. As of yesterday morning, Rs. 16.7 million out of the allocated Rs. 19.9 million had been put to use.

Ten sluice gates of the Iranamadu Tank were also opened due to increasing water levels, DMC said yesterday.

As such, an early flood warning has been issued to those residing in downstream areas in Iranamadu. “It’s important that people living downstream are cautioned about this situation and the Irrigation Department has been continuously providing them with information,” DMC spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said.

Sri Lanka Navy is also continuing its relief efforts, and has deployed teams to clean drinking water wells contaminated by the floods in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts. According to a statement issued by Sri Lanka Navy yesterday, 11 wells have been cleaned so far. The Sri Lanka Navy has also provided over 4,500 litres of drinking water to those in need of safe drinking water.

While relief efforts continue, the weather forecast for today points to a temporary reduction of rain, although showers are expected in the Northern, North-Central, Uva, and Eastern Provinces as well as the Hambantota District, although showers or thundershowers may occur in other parts of the country after 1 pm.

Coastal areas may also temporarily experience strong gusty winds up to 70-80 km/h, and rough seas are to be expected during thunderstorms.