Floodwaters receding, yet risk remains in some areas

Colombo, November 29 (Daily Mirror)- Floods caused by deep depression that created havoc in many parts of the country started receding today but some areas including the Northern Province are still facing risk, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

As per the DMC, floods in almost all 24 districts have begun to recede. However, risks still remain in Manampitiya in the Polonnaruwa District, Peradeniya in Kandy, Horowpothana, Thanthirimale and Moragawewa areas. Landslide warnings were still effective in Badulla, Kandy, Colombo, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts.

Water levels of major rivers including Deduru Oya, Mahaweli Ganga, Yan Oya, Nilwala and Kelani were receding. Water levels of Lakshapana, Polpitiya, Canyon and Victoria were also going down according to DMC.

The death toll from the adverse weather conditions has risen to 14 as of this evening.

Further, Some 441,373 persons belonging to 132,071 families in 24 districts have been affected by today. Some 38,594 persons were still in temporary shelters provided by the DMC. Some 115,628 persons belonging to 45,415 families who have been displaced are residing with their relatives. Most of the people have been affected and displaced due to heavy rain while people in Kandy, Nuwara- Eliya, Kegalle due to cutting failures. People in other areas have been displaced and affected by the rains that had come down in torrents which brought on floods.