Death toll rises to 23; 160,000 affected

• All schools in Gampaha closed

The death toll from the adverse weather rose to 23 yesterday with over 160,000 people affected, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

As a result of heavy rains, 166,228 people from 43,604 families have been affected as at 1200 hours on Sunday.

The Education Ministry said that all schools in the Gampaha Education Zone would be closed today due to flooding.

The DMC said that all major reservoirs were at a normal level, however, some reservoir gates were opened to release water flowing from other areas.

Landslide warning were also issued for Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya.

The DMC said that the South-west monsoon had gradually established over the Bay of Bengal but there was air circulation south-west of the Indian sea area and wind speeds could increase from time to time. Officials also said that there could be a need to clean drinking water wells over the next few days in affected areas as most water sources were contaminated.

People in flood risk areas have been evacuated to safe locations and at present approximately 19,519 families have been evacuated to 339 welfare centres due to floods and landslide risks in eight districts. (Colombo Gazette)