Adverse weather hits over 272,800 families

by P. Krishnaswamy

Over 272,800 families comprising 989,214 persons were affected due to the adverse weather that had continued in 18 districts of eight provinces, according to a spokesman for the Disaster Management Centre.

Seventeen persons had died, 12 went missing and 15 were injured. Over 25,222 families consisting of 86,845 persons are housed in 459 welfare centres with provision of cooked food, dry rations, medical facilities and other needs, according to reports.

No infectious diseases or any other major health problems have been reported from any of the welfare centres except for some leg rashes reported from some welfare centres. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the inclement weather that continued for over 10 days will now improve.

Ampara, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa were the worst affected areas and Government Agents are providing relief through their Divisional Secretaries.

Over 77,993 families consisting of 298,662 persons in 20 Divisional Secretary divisions of the district had been affected and 3,496 families consisting of 13,600 persons were housed in 27 welfare centres.