Flash floods: Swift measures to assist flood victims says Govt.

Saturday, 22 December 2012 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government is taking all necessary measures to support those affected by floods. Arrangements have been made to provide them with shelter, dry rations, medicine and other emergency needs.

25 deaths had been reported islandwide due to floods, while another 13 people were missing and 36 injured.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) situation report released yesterday, 267,325 people belonging to 69,133 families had been affected due to bad weather. About 358 houses had been fully damaged while 1935 houses had been partially damaged.

Flash floods had been experienced in the Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Batticoloa, Chillaw and Hambantota districts and in several other parts of the country. Rescue missions in areas affected by inclement weather are continuing with the support of the Tri Forces and Police.

The Disaster Management minister said certain areas are still inaccessible due to flood waters, adding that cooked food has been distributed in affected areas by boat. Landslides and earth slips had been reported from the Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Badulla districts.

Minister Mahindananda Amaraweera further said that the Ministry will provide a report to the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry on public officials who have neglected their duties during the latest disaster situation which occurred as a result of the inclement weather.

He said the government had disbursed sufficient funds to District Secretariats to provide necessary relief measures adding that the Ministry is ready to disburse more money as the need arises without any delay. He said the Treasury has also agreed to disburse money if necessary. He said the President had instructed that adequate relief be provided all affected individuals affected by the inclement weather.