Over 1,200 families displaced by floods in Hendala

The adverse weather that wreaked havoc over the week-end did not spare residents occupying low lying areas in Hendala, Wattala area with four deaths and over 1,000 displaced.

Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church Nayakakanda Rev. Fr. Ranjan Silva said around 1, 200 families in Avarakotuwa, Galaghaduwa, Elenegoda, Olandawatte, Bund Road, Ettanpolawatte, Bangalawatte and some areas in Palliyawatte have been affected by the inclement weather since last Sunday.

He said rice packets, dry rations, mats, pillows, bed sheets, clothes, books and sanitary facilities are the immediate needs for the affected.

“Flooding is not a new phenomena to those occupying crown land in low marsh areas in Hendala. The area gets inundated with the slightest rain causing difficulties to residents. Politicians exploit the landless during elections promising land with title deeds which never sees the light of the day”, Rev. Fr. Silva said.

The displaced are housed in temporary shelters in the area. The death toll rose to around 60 and the displaced to over 600, 000 in the country according to reports. - LF