RAINS AND FLOODS DEVASTATE MATARA

4,743 of 1,213 families affected by the storm, rains and floods; 1,140 houses partly damaged One dead; two fishermen missing, six injured

Atotal of 4,743 persons belonging to 1,213 families had been affected by the storm, rains and floods till Saturday, December 3, the Matara District Secretariat said.

Matara District Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Lieutenant Colonel Priyankara Piyasena said that 38 houses had been fully damaged and 1,140 houses were partially damaged due to this adverse weather.

He said that two fishermen had gone missing, while six had been injured due to various reasons and one had died.

“Low-lying areas were flooded as water came from the upper area of Nilvala River though the rainy weather ceased,” he said.

The DMC said that the Nilvala River was still overflowing in the Panadugama area.

“Therefore transport of vehicles in Akuressa, Kamburupitiya, Siyambalagoda and Kadduwa areas are disrupted,” he said.

“The estuary of the Nilvala River near the Matara Fort has been broadened by the Department of Irrigation on the instruction of the Matara District Secretary Pradeep Ratnayake to make way for the increased flow of water,” he said.

“Unlike last year this year, candidates who want to contest at the Local Government Elections and their supprters were seen helping the victims.therefore it is a great relief for the Government officials who provided relief services usually,” he said

Divisional Secretary of Devinuwara Ranjith Yapa stated that the arrangements had been expedited to distribute dry rations and other needs among the flood-affected families in the area.

The Sea Beach Road in Matara which was closed due to an earthslip had been reopened.

The District Secretariat said that if the weather improved by today (4) life would return to normalcy.