Heavy winds and rains cause misery to 45,000

Incidents of flash floods, landslides, and falling of trees due to heavy winds  have affected  more than 45,000 people across the country as the death toll in related incidents increased to nine,  Disaster Management Center and other officials said.

The latest death was reported from Haputale where a 65 year old woman was killed when two trees crashed on to her house around 7.30 p.m.

Two others were injured in the incident.

Earlier in the evening the Director General of the Disaster Management Center, Retired Major General Udaya Herath told the times online that eight people had already died in the prevailing situation.

He elaborated that out of the eight deaths, seven of them were caused by tree felling due to strong winds while one death occurred due to drowning.

According to him 10 houses had been completely damaged while 2809 houses were partially damaged. He added that 83 families comprising 336 individuals are held at safe locations.

With the meteorology department issuing warnings of strengthening of the monsoon as the deep depression at the Bay of Bengal is to intensify and turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow morning.

The Deputy Director of the Meteorology Department, Meryl Mendis explained that as gusty winds would be passing through Sri Lanka, the western slopes of the central hills and the catchment areas such as Ratnapura, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya would be receiving heavy rains.

He called on the general public to take safety precautions from heavy winds and rains as the prevailing weather situation could cause tree fallings, landslides and floods.