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Over 1000 houses damaged due to adverse weather; more rain forecast in coming days
View(s):More rain is forecast for Sri Lanka, especially in the southwestern part of the country, during the next few days due to lower atmospheric turbulence over the country, officials said.
Karuwalagasweva
Several districts during the week experienced heavy rain accompanied by high winds and lightning. In many affected areas, transport was disrupted by uprooted trees.
Disaster Management Centre Director Pradeep Kodippili said that more than 1000 houses had been damaged due to strong winds in 11 districts, including Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Colombo, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya and Kalutara.
He said the affected people would be given financial assistance to repair their houses. The DMC director said five people had suffered minor injuries due to the adverse weather.
Puttalam District Secretary Chandrasiri Bandara said that 74 houses and several fishing huts had been damaged due to heavy winds in the district.
The DMC’s Colombo District Assistant Coordinating Officer Anura Kalansuriya said around 112 houses in Moratuwa were damaged following gale force winds that blew across the area on Thursday morning.
Although roofs of more than 60 houses were blown off in the Egoda Uyana, Central Koralawella, Lakshapathiya North division due to the heavy winds, no casualties were reported, he said.
An old tree in the Moratuwa Municipal Council premises fell towards the council building due to the strong winds. But it caused no damage to the building.
In Galewela in the Matale district, reports said eleven houses had been damaged by falling trees, according to Divisional Secretary M.U Nishantha.
Strong winds that hit several districts have disrupted electricity supplies in several areas including Colombo, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Maha Nuwara, Power and Energy Ministry spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardena said.
“We will restore connections within a day or two,” he said.
Pix by K. Jayaratne, Hiran Priyankara and Rekha Tharanganie
Ratmalana
Puttalam