Compensation to flood affected people in Northern Province tops Rs. 130 m

• 143 houses fully damaged while 3298 has been partially damaged, assessment ongoing
• Infrastructure damages expected to run into several billions
• NITF’s National Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme to compensate for all house damages
  
   

By Chathuri Dissanayake

The National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) has to date released Rs. 130 million to pay for compensation for house damages caused by the recent flash floods in five districts in the Northern Province.

This includes Rs. 50 million released yesterday. On Wednesday, the NITF released Rs. 80 million to pay compensation under the National Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme (NNDIS).

According to the latest statistics issued by the Disaster Management Centre, 3298 have been partially damaged while another 143 have been fully damaged.

The Disaster Mana-gement Centre has already dispersed initial funds to award Rs. 10,000 as an advance for damages, Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili told Daily FT.

“We have already completed giving the money to beneficiaries and we will continue with the compensation scheme when as the damage assessment completes,” he said.

The damages to domestic units and State infrastructure is expected to run into several billions, Home Affairs Minister Wajira Abeywardana said.

The Minister yesterday met with all Local Government and Provincial Council State officials to devise a rapid recovery plan for the Northern districts affected by the floods.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to meet the Northern Provincial Council and Local Government officials today to discuss the plans set in place when he visits the area tomorrow.