Adverse weather affects over 73,000 people in the North

Colombo (News1st) - Over 73,000 people have been affected by adverse weather in the Northern Province. According to the Disaster Management Center, more than 10,000 people have been relocated to relief shelters. The Kilinochchi district has been the worst affected by severe rains which have been continuing for more than 3 days. An excess of 38,500 people in the Kilinochchi district have been affected by adverse weather. 20 relief shelters have been set up in several areas including Ponnagar, Anandapuram and Pannamkandi to aid those who have been temporarily displaced due to flooding. Many areas which come under the purview of the Kandaawalei divisional secretariat including Dhamapuram, Vishwamadhu and Musarumotei, remain inundated. Rain continued to pour over the Mulativu District throughout the day, today as well. According to the Disaster Management Centre, 20,737 people have been adversely affected in the Mullaitivu district and 13 relief shelters have been set up. Areas falling under the purview of the Mulativu Pudukudirippu divisional secretariat remain inundated. 3 relief shelters have been put in place to provide relief to those residing in areas which come under the Oddusuddan divisional secretariat including, Muththuwinayaagapuram, Bandaarawanni and Peraaru. According to the latest statistics from the DMC, more than 280 people have been adversely affected by the inclement weather in the Vavuniya district. Based on President Maithripala Sirisena's instructions all relevant authorities including the tri-forces and the Police have taken the necessary steps to provide relief to those affected by severe rains and flooding. A meeting was held this morning under the patronage of the Minister of Disaster Management, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, at the Kilinochchi Divisional Secretariat as well.