Cyclone ‘Burevi’ less aggressive than expected: Chamal

1,009 families in the North, 551 families in Trincomalee affected

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The cyclonic storm Burevi was less ferocious than expected, but 1,009 families in the North and 551 families in Trincomalee was affected by it, Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa informed Parliament yesterday.   

Minister Rajapaksa said only Mannar and Mullaitivu Districts in the North and the Trincomalee District in the East were hit by the storm, though it was forecast that districts such Jaffna, Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, and Kurunegala would also be affected.  

“The affected families have been placed in 65 temporary camps,” he said.   

The cyclonic storm was moving away from Sri Lanka yesterday. Fishermen were advised not to venture out to sea till today morning.   

Tidal waves triggered by the storm engulfed some areas. According to our reporters, the Mullipuram Road near the Puttalam lagoon remained under seawater making it somewhat impassable for motor traffic.   A tree fall caused by gushing winds disrupted traffic in the Vavuniya town near the post office.  

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa who responded, thanked the Department of Meteorology and other institutions, the security forces for their efforts to minimise the effect of the storm.   

• The affected families have been placed in 65 temporary camps