Nearly 8,000 people affected by adverse weather as heavy rain continues

Nearly 8,000 people have been affected by adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka since 19 September, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

According to the DMC, 7,651 people from 2,106 families had been affected as of Sunday, with 183 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 20 districts reporting weather-related impacts.

Eight deaths and 12 injuries have been recorded during the period, while one person remains missing.

The DMC said 26 houses had been completely destroyed and another 1,390 partially damaged. Forty-six people from 13 families are currently being accommodated at two safety centres.

Meanwhile, dry weather has affected 137,953 people from 41,725 families in several parts of the country.

Those affected by drought conditions are in 30 Divisional Secretariat divisions across the Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mannar, Matale, Monaragala, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa and Vavuniya districts.

Drinking water has been distributed to 110,174 people from 32,688 families in 26 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the affected districts, the DMC said.

The Department of Meteorology said showers or thundershowers were likely in many parts of the island after 1 p.m.

Falls exceeding 75 mm are possible in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in the Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu districts.

Rain is also expected in coastal areas of the Western Province and Galle District during the morning.

The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. Misty conditions are also expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early morning.