Immediate relief for thousands affected by SL adverse weather

Colombo, Sep 24 (IANS) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday instructed authorities to provide immediate relief to thousands of people affected by the ongoing adverse weather conditions, his office said.

Sirisena also instructed the armed forces to immediately evacuate the people living in landslide-prone areas and to provide relief to all affected families, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Disaster Management Centre said several areas across the island were inundated following heavy rains within the past 24 hours.

One death was reported from Galle district, while over 5,000 people were affected in Galle and Matara districts in the south and also in the capital Colombo.

Armed forces along with officials from the Disaster Management Centre are also conducting rescue and relief operations in several districts affected by floods.

The Meteorology Department said in its latest weather update that heavy rains and strong winds would continue across Sri Lanka till Wednesday night.

Very heavy falls of about 200 mm are likely at some places in Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces and heavy falls of about 100 to 150 mm are likely at some places in North Western and Central provinces.