By NNN-Govt Portal,
Colombo : Floods following heavy rains caused heavy damage in several districts with several deaths reported and nearly 8,000 families displaced and also cutting off access roads in many areas.
A total of 7,860 families (33,408 persons) were reported displaced in Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Gampaha and Kegalle.
Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Badiudeen has directed the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries of the relevant districts to carry out immediate relief work.
According to Ministry sources twenty-four welfare centres in Ratnapura district and 13 welfare centres in Kegalle district have been established and 1,412 families have been housed at these centres.
Landslides have claimed seven lives, six in Ingiriya and one in Ayagama. Three houses were completely destroyed and 73 partly damaged.
The District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries of affected districts have been directed by the Ministry to provide all essential facilities and to make alternative arrangements to cater to the needs of the victims.
Minister Badhiudeen said additional funds will be allocated as the need arises. A sum of Rs. 490,000 had been set apart for the Kalutara district, Rs 500,000 for Ratnapura and Rs. 1 million for Gampaha district.
Arrangements have been made to provide Rs 15,000 for funeral expenses of each dead victim. Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry has opened a 24-hour hotline on the flood situation on 011 2431579.