Over 13,000 affected by adverse weather - 1,024 displaced
May 21, 2018 02:34 pm
Due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, 1,024 persons have been displaced while a total of 13,314 have been affected, stated the Disaster Management Center (DMC).
According to the DMC, 5 deaths have been confirmed so far due to the current weather condition.
DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili, advises the public living in lower catchment areas of rivers to stay alert and evacuate immediately if they witness signs of landslides.
He stated this today (21) informing about the current disaster situation due to adverse weather.
He also said that the 117 helpline is open 24 hours in case of an emergency.
Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy have deployed several teams to disaster prone areas in order to provide necessary assistance to affected people.
Accordingly the Navy has dispatched 27 teams, each equipped with a dinghy, to 5 districts, namely Galle, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Puttalam.
The Sri Lanka Army has deployed 115 personnel to 4 districts affected by the adverse weather.
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says that aircraft and rescue teams are on standby to be deployed to those areas when necessary.
