Colombo, May 24 (newsin.asia) – At least 12 people have been killed and over 120,000 people affected by strong winds and rains which lashed out across Sri Lanka since last Saturday, the Disaster Management Center said in its latest update on Thursday.
With more rains predicted, the water levels in major rivers across the island have continued to rise leading to emergency evacuations of people living in low areas.
DMC Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippoli said hundreds of people in the north central and south of Sri Lanka had been evacuated on Wednesday night and housed in temporary shelters.
He said the police, and tri forces were also engaged in search and rescue missions and to provide relief to those who were affected by the rising water levels.
President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday instructed relevant authorities to immediately provide relief to the affected people due to floods and landslides because of continuous torrential rains.
He directed officials to provide relief supplies to those affected and take steps to provide all requirements.
Sri Lanka is facing its annual south west monsoons with the Meteorological Department, in its latest weather report warning of more rains in several districts across the country in the coming days.
The Meteorological Department, in its latest weather forecast said heavy falls, about 100 to 150 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara districts.
Fairly heavy falls, above 50 mm can also be expected at some places in the Northern province.
Over 200 people were killed and 78 people missing when the southwest monsoons caused severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka last year.
