30 families evacuated due to floods in Ratnapura District

By Yohan Perera   

Residents in Kapugampitiya in the Ratnapura District whose houses had gone under water yesterday urged the government to provide a permanent solution to the hardships they are faced with as a result of the floods.   
R. M. Dinesh Madushanka Bandara a resident from the area said around 30 houses in his neighbourhood have been affected by the floods brought on by the heavy showers experienced during the last few days. “ We are faced with this problem every year. Residents in our area are compelled to evacuate their homes when ever it rains. Something has to be done about this situation urgently” he said.   Around 30 families who were displaced are currently being provided with temporary accommodation by villagers living in the unaffected areas.   

Another resident in the area who did not wish to be named said the flooding  was mild in comparision to the last few years. “ Only a few houses had been  affected this time compared to the past few years” he said.   While adults were in a quandary with their homes being inundated the children appeared to be enjoying the flooded countryside and were seen rowing to and fro in the waters on makeshift rafts.   The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said around 8000 people belonging to 3000 families have been affected by the minor floods in the Ratnapura District. DMC said the security forces and police were on the alert to face any emergency situation in the area.  
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana