20 die, 150,000 affected by flood havoc

The death toll in floods and landslides increased to 20 yesterday with the disaster affecting more than 150,000 people in 19 districts across the country.

Two more people were missing after they were swept away in flood waters in the Biyagama and Chilaw areas.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, by yesterday, about 105 houses have been fully damaged and 4,832 houses partially damaged.

For relief operations, the Kalutara district will receive eight million rupees, Ratnapura district Rs. 6 million, Colombo district Rs. 5 million, Kurunegala district Rs.5 million, Gampaha district Rs. 5.2 million, Puttalam district Rs. 3.7 million, Kegalle district Rs. 2 million,

Galle district Rs. 1 million, Matara district Rs.1 million, Badulla district Rs. 0.5 million, Moneragala district Rs. 0.5 million and Kandy district Rs. 0.95 million.

“Initially Rs. 10,000 will be paid through divisional secretaries. However after valuing the damage the compensation amount may increase. Another Rs. 38.85 million has been allocated for immediate relief services to provide dry ration, prepared food, hygiene kits, bed sheets and blankets to the people affected by the floods and landslides,” said Savithri Jayakody, Deputy Director of the State-run National Relief Services Centre.

The allocation will be made by the National Insurance Trust Fund under the disaster management coverage policy.

“At present the Government can handle disaster relief assistance. However, if the situation worsens we will publish an official assistance requirement. We have been getting inquiries from foreign mission and donor agencies,” she said.