Rains subside for most part 24 Dead, 174,310 affected

People in flood risk areas have been evacuated to safe locations. At present, approximately 17,976 families have been evacuated to 265 welfare centres due to flood and landslide risks in nine Districts, the DMC said. The National Disaster Relief Service Centre (NDRSC) has provided Rs 44.15 million cash allocations to the 12 District Secretaries to address the immediate needs of the affected populations.
The sluice gates of Deduru-oya, Kukuleganga and Rajanganaya tanks were still open and in a few areas of Ja-Ela, inundation continued to prevail.

Sand bags have been stacked by the Army and Navy together with the communities to stop flood water penetration to settlements. The Gampaha-Ganemulla road is still submerged and transportation is limited in the Kirindiwita, Akarawita areas. Low-lying areas are still under water in Wattala in the Gampaha District. A Hindu Kovil has been heavily damaged due to fallen tree in the Norwood estate in Nuwara Eliya. The DMC is presently coordinating with Military agencies through its Emergency Operation Centre for better response interventions and the NDRSC is undertaking needs assessment at local levels, especially in safety centres.

The DMC added that 121 houses were fully damaged and 5,205 were partially damaged.
The NDRSC has allocated Rs 44.15 Million from National Insurance Trust Fund and Treasury funds to the most affected Districts in order to assist the severely affected populations. Agencies that are providing humanitarian assistance were directed to the North-Western areas and also some agencies are supporting communities in affected areas of Kalutara, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Puttalam.
Speaking to Ceylon Today, Deputy Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodippili noted that about 5,000 people have returned to their homes. Military Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Atapattu added that the Army along with the Navy is involved in rehabilitation works after the floods and landslides, to facilitate the victims’ return to their homes.
“We have just commenced the rehabilitation work in the aftermath of the disasters. The troops that were already deployed on ground are presently helping the people upon the request of the DMC and the Grama Niladharis of the respective areas,” he said.
Commenting on the aftermath of the disasters, Acting Director General of Health Services Dr. Sarath Amunugama said yesterday (28) that there have been no increases in diseases such as typhoid, diarrhoea, and dysentery in the disaster-affected areas.
“In times like these, we monitor these diseases and generate a report every day. So far, there have not been any reported increases in bowel diseases such as typhoid, diarrhoea, dysentery or food poisoning in the 50 or so camps that house the flood-affected people.”
He also noted that there were no reports of any epidemics spreading due to the flood situation either.
Meanwhile, Police security has been intensified in areas where people have abandoned their properties to escape the floods and landslides in order to prevent looting, the Police said and instructed the public to report any such incident as soon as it takes place.
Police went on to note that the Special Task Force is also on standby if the incidents of looting intensify and that strict action will be taken against those who are involved in looting.
Incidents of demanding extortion were also reported in the affected areas where those who assist victims of flood, demand monies for their services. The Police advised the public to report such incidents immediately