Flood Alert: Govt urges those living near rivers to evacuate

The Government has urged residents living near all rivers around the country to evacuate with their families as soon as possible as there is a danger of these rivers overflowing and creating major floods during the next 48 hours. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed Divisional Secretariats in areas affected by floods to close down schools in these areas and make arrangements to accommodate displaced persons at these locations. 

Leave for all Government employees and and field officers attached to District and Divisional Secretariats in disaster affected districts have been canceled until further notice, Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena stated, according to the Government Information Department. Accordingly, all Government employees must report to their respective offices immediately. If any officer is unable to do so due to he or she being a victim floods, then the second officer or the officer who is the closest in rank must fulfill those duties. 

District Secretaries have been afforded powers to recruit any retired Government employees to execute duties if there is a shortage of officials, the Government also said.

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