Flash floods affect close to 17,000

By Poojathmi Rivithma 

Colombo,January 20 (Daily Mirror)- A total of 16,930 persons from 5,738 families have been affected across eleven districts due to natural disasters such as flash floods, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

According to the DMC's situation report, one death and three injuries have been reported, with no missing persons reported so far.

A total of 239 persons from 71 families have been moved to safe locations. A total of 98 houses were partially damaged, and one house was completely destroyed.

Meanwhile, thundershowers are likely to occur in the Northern, Eastern, North-Central, Uva and Central Provinces and in the Hambantota district.

Fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected at some places in the Eastern, Uva  Provinces and in the Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts. 

Fairly strong winds upto  30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills and the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and North-Western Provinces and in the Hambantota and Moneragala districts.

The public is  requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.