8 die, 350,000 displaced in floods

Rice bowl flooded
On-the-spot report P6

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

At least eight people were killed and more than 350,00 affected in two weeks of heavy rain leading to floods and landslides in the Mannar, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Ampara, Badulla, Trincomalee, Gampaha, Ratnapura and Moneragala districts, officials said yesterday.

They said the flood havoc also caused heavy destruction to paddy and other crops, especially in these districts. Two deaths were reported from the Moneragala district and two from the Badulla district due to the floods and landslides while lightning struck and killed three people in Divulapitiya and another was electrocuted in Akuressa, the officials said.

Disaster Relief Services Minister M.S.S. Ameer Ali said funds were available and compensation would be given soon to the victims.
He said prepared meals and dry rations were being provided to tens of thousands of displaced families.