Relief for flood victims

By Ananda Kannangara

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday provided relief to a large number of families, rendered homeless due to heavy rains that were experienced in the Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle and Kalutara Districts during the past two days.

According to the latest reports, a woman was killed at Ratnapura due to an earthslip and several others were reported missing due to heavy floods and lightning in Kalawana in the Ratnapura District, Neluwa in Galle, Talduwa and Dehiowita in the Kegalle district.

DMC, Deputy Director Ananda Dharmaratne told the Sunday Observer’ that six boats were sent to the flood affected districts last morning for the use of affected people and the Disaster Relief Centre (DRC) also provided dry rations and other food items with the assistance of area Divisional Secretaries.

A senior official in the Avissawella Divisional Secretariat said that the Talduwa and Dehiowita towns were inundated and shop owners and traders of the weekly fair at Talduwa face immense hardships.

The water level in the Dehiowita town had increased to three feet around 8.00 a.m. yesterday and vehicles had to use alternative roads to reach Kegalle, Kandy and Yatiyantota towns.

Several low-lying areas in Piliyandala, Bandaragama, Kahatawela in Kesbewa and Horana were inundated due to heavy rains.

Disaster Relief Management Ministry Director General Gamini Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Observer that a special centre had been opened at the Ministry premises to receive the latest reports on the situation.

“However, we are ready to provide any assistance to flood victims from any area in the country,” he said.

It was also reported that several highways in Piliyandala, Avissawella and Rattanapitiya were also submerged .