Over 3000 houses damaged due to gale force winds

COLOMBO (News 1st): Around 3360 houses in 13 districts were damaged due to gale force winds, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre said. "A total of 28 houses were destroyed, while 13,186 people from 3413 families in 13 districts were affected due to strong winds since the 5th of August," Savithri Jayakody, the Assistant Director at  National Disaster Relief Services Centre said on Monday (Aug 10). According to the Assistant Director, the worst impact is reported from Ratnapura, where 15 houses are completely destroyed and 1337 houses are damaged. In Kurunegala, 11 houses are destroyed and 90 houses are damaged. Assistant Director, Savithri Jayakody further noted houses were also damaged in Colombo, Kandy, Kalutara, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Galle, Gampaha, Trincomalee, and Kegalle districts. The provision of compensation to the affected families is currently underway. Teams have been dispatched covering all affected districts, to assess the damages to houses, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre further said. Meanwhile, several spells of showers are expected in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western and North-Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts on Monday (Aug 10), the Department of Meteorology said. Wind speed can increase up to 40-50 kmph at times over the island particularly in Northern, North-central, and North-Western provinces and in Hambantota, Trincomalee and Matale districts. Coastal inundation is also likely along the coast extending from Beruwala to Hambantota via Galle and area residents are requested to be vigilant, the Met Department further added.