Flood-affected rises

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The number of families affected by heavy rain and floods have increased, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

The number of families have increased by around 126 and the number of affected persons have increased by around 60.

A total of 35,833 persons belonging to 9,686 families have been affected by rain and floods during the past few days, the DMC said.

According to DMC reports, 3,005 persons belonging to 809 families are in Evacuation Centres.

Twenty eight Evacuation Centres have been established.

Two houses in Matale and Mannar have been fully damaged while nine houses have been partially damaged. Eight are in Matale district.

Around 15,341 persons have been affected in the Mullaitivu district. They belong to 3,975 families and are from Mariumepattu, Puthukudirippu, Oddusuddan, and Thunukkai.

Around 11,454 persons belonging to 3,511 families in the Jaffna district have been affected by the floods. Around 2,520 persons belonging to 679 families are in 21 Evacuation Centres in the Kilinochchi district. Of the 28 camps established 21 are in Kilinochchi. Others are in Polonnaruwa, Mannar, Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts.

Around 8,150 persons belonging to 1,999 families in Kilinochchi district,729 persons belonging to 175 families in Mannar district and 102 persons belonging to 26 families in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Colombo have also been affected by heavy rains and floods during last four days,the DMC reported.

Spill gates of Minneriya tank, Parakrama Samudraya Kawudulla tank, Giriulla tank, Rajanganaya tank, Kala Wewa, Nachchadoowa tank and Mahakanadarawa tank have been opened. Sungawiila-Somawathiya road and Old-Puttalam Mannar road are also impassible, the DMC report added.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/12/26/news02.asp