Over 163,000 people affected by extreme weather

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Over 163,000 persons from 70,000 families have been affected by the incessant rains that battered the island. The Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Center Pradeep Koddipili said that over 8000 people are being sheltered at 90 relief centres. The heavy rains have also adversely affected the Northern and Eastern provinces. Fourteen spill gates of the Iranamadu reservoir have been opened while all spill gates in the Killinochchi District have been opened resulting in the surrounding areas being inundated. He added that 507 residents of 151 families in the Pannalkandi area were taken to safe locations. 569 families in Paranthan and Sivampuram in Killinochchi are being sheltered at the Paranthan community centre. Rasathurai Jayaruban of News 1st stated that 25,000 persons have been affected in the Killinochchi district alone and that 27 shelters have been set up. He further added that the water levels of all lagoons in the Mullaitivu district have increased and farmlands in the region have been flooded. A section of the Mullaitivu-Jaffna main road gave away in Selvampuram yesterday due to the incessant rains in the area. According to our correspondent steps are underway to repair the road. Meanwhile low lying lands in areas including Thondamannaru, Sennankulam, and Kallundai have been inundated. The Batticaloa district suffered the most with floods that affected the island. 51,434 people from 15,019 families residing in areas falling under the purview of 13 divisional secretariats have been affected in the region. 2 people sustained injuries. Meanwhile, the tourist police division in Anuradhapura was flooded as the Malwattu Oya overflowed. According to our correspondent, the station was flooded over 6 feet. The officers at the Anuradhapura tourist police division are carrying out their duties at the main entrance of the police station. The flow of traffic along the Badulla-Kandy main road was interrupted due to a landslide at the Dunhinda turn last night. Our correspondent said that the flow of traffic along the road has been limited. Meanwhile, according to the Disaster Management Centre, 250 people from 60 families in Badulla Dambathenna have been sheltered at safe locations due to the risk of landslides in the area. A tree had fallen on to a number of parked buses that brought pilgrims to the Anuradhapura sacred grounds. No one was injured in the incident, however, the buses were severely damaged.