Bad weather affects nearly 6,000 people

Tuesday, 3 December 2019 02:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Three dead, one missing and five injured
Met Dept. forecasts 100 mm of rain for Northern, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces
President instructs officials to take immediate action to ensure safety of people affected

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday said that a total of 5,904 people from 1,609 families in 10 districts were affected by adverse weather with rains expected to continue over the next few days.

DMC noted three deaths were reported, with one missing and five injured. In addition three houses have been completely damaged and 169 have been partially damaged. According to DMC, 915 people from 242 families were being housed at 14 temporary shelters in 10 districts.

Meteorology Department stated that prevailing showery condition were expected to enhance over Northern, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces till today evening with heavy rainfall above 100 mm likely in some places.

“Fairly heavy showers about 75-100 mm are likely occur at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern Provinces and in Mullaitivu, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces during the morning.

“General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers,” the Meteorology Department stated.

Meanwhile, Government officials have been instructed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take immediate action to ensure the safety and welfare of the people who have been affected due to adverse weather.

President Media Division stated Ministry officials, District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries have been provided with instructions to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence and the Disaster Management Centre to be prepared for rapid response in the event of floods, landslides, rock falls occurring due to heavy rainfall, and to take immediate disaster mitigation and public welfare measures.