Torrential rains create havoc

• 13 districts affected, six dead, 249 families hit by adverse weather 
• Meteorology Department warns over 150 mm rain
• Over 800 people affected by floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains

The Disaster Management Centre yesterday said three districts affected by heavy rains, while 891 people from 249 families displaced by the adverse weather conditions prevailing over Sri Lanka.

Death toll increased to six people, following days of heavy rain and floods, DMC said in its latest situation report. 

A total of 251 people had been moved to nine safe locations yesterday.

Meteorology Department also issued a ‘red alert’ warning for heavy rains for the Western, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Northern Provinces. In addition, this warning will be in effect for the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara Districts as well.

The Department also warned that most areas will experience over 150 mm of rain.

The DMC also issued warnings on possible of minor floods in low-lying areas of the Kalu river basin in Bulathsinhala, Baduraliya, Palinda Nuwara, Millaniya, Horana, Dodangoda and Kalutara Divisional Secretariat.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy said it deployed relief teams to flood-prone areas in search and for rescue operations in the event of a weather-related disaster.

Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva said three relief teams were deployed to Ratnapura district and another team was deployed to Galle District.

In addition, 24 Sri Lanka Navy rescue teams from the Welisara and Colombo Navy Camps are kept on standby and will be deployed for assist operations.

Six more relief teams from the Galle Navy Camp are also on standby.