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| Saturday, 18 December 2004 |
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by Nadira Gunatilleke The total number of families affected by floods has increased up to 151,255 yesterday. Eight lives had been lost. The total number of families who had to leave their homes is 19,154 and the total number of families living in temporary camps is 1,617. The total number of damaged houses is 4,844. The total number of persons injured due to floods is six, according to the Social Services Ministry. The flood levels in the Batticaloa district have increased after the heavy rains experienced on the 16th, according to the Director, National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), N.D. Hettiarachchi. The Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry has already allocated over Rs.9 million to provide relief for the flood victims in eight districts. Rs.3 million has granted for the Ampara district while Rs.4 million has granted for the Batticaloa district, a Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry spokesman said. Road Petrol Officer, Automobile Association, A. C. Wijesekara said that roads from Polonnaruwa to Batticaloa and Srungarawila to Somawathi had gone under water halting traffic. The water level of Srungarawila - Somawathi road is about nine feet. The Nuwara Eliya - Welimada road which was blocked due to minor earth slips is now clear for traffic but only small vehicles can use the new temporary road constructed for traffic. The Bandarawela - Welimada road also been blocked due to an earth slip. Road conditions of Pottuvil and other flood affected areas were not available, he added. The Met Department forecast says that showers with isolated heavy falls will continue in the North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in the Hambantota and Matale districts and along the Eastern slopes of the central hills. Showers or thundershowers are also likely at several places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts particularly during the afternoon or evening. There will be occasional showers accompanied by fairly strong winds in the sea area as off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Hambantota via Pottuvil and scattered showers elsewhere. Winds will be Northeasterly and the speed will be 20 - 30 kmph. It may be gusting up to 40 - 50 kmph. Generally sea areas off the coast around Sri Lanka will be rough. Deputy Minister Cegu Isadeen and Social Welfare Deputy Minister S.M.Chandrasena visit the flood affected Ampara district today. |
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