68 deaths, 132 missing & 414,627 displaced
FRIDAY, 20 MAY 2016
68 deaths have been already reported 132 people have disappeared, 28 injured and more than 414,627 persons from 98,076 families have been affected due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rains experienced throughout the island.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) 306773 persons from 61,382 families have been temporarily settled in 594 camps. It states 288 houses have been fully destroyed and 3057 half destroyed.
The DMC states 170,232 persons in Colombo District, 122,232 persons from Gampaha District and 9242 persons from Kalutara district have been affected due to floods and rain. The highest number of people affected in Colombo district is from Kolonnawa which is 94.151.
The water level in Kelani river is subsiding but the flood waters around Peliyagoda would remain for several days states the Department of Irrigation.
Meanwhile, in Nuwarawewa in Anuradhapura, Mahakandarawa Tank, Mahavilachchiya tank, Rajanganaya, Huruluwewa Tank and Angamuwa reservoir are spilling over. Also, Deduru Oya in Kurunegala District, Thabbowa reservoir in Puttalam District, Inginimitiya reservoir, Mavilaru and Janaranjana Tank in Trincomalee District, Periyamadu Tank and Nalanda Tank in Kandy District too are spilling over say authorities.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) states the risk of landslides and earth slips could occur in Kandy, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Nuwaraeliya, Kegalle, Matale and Kalutara districts if rains continue for next few days. rescue operations in landslide-affected areas in Aranayaka and Bulathkohupitiya are continuing.
