Over 74 000 affected, 11 000 evacuated due to flash floods in Sri Lanka

Heavy rains and strong winds affecting Sri Lanka over the past couple of days resulted in severe flash floods and evacuations in the country's north.

According to media reports, this severe weather event lasted for several days, affecting 74 793 people or 23 265 families.

Over 11 000 people were evacuated to safe locations as their homes were inundated due to continuous rains. The military and police were involved in rescue operations, ECHO reports.

The worst-affected districts were Mullaitivu, Killinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna. No deaths or injuries were reported so far.

The Mullaithivu main road has been blocked due to the floods, the Government of Sri Lank said. In the Kilinochchi District, all the sluice gates of the Iranaimadhu Tank have already been opened, displacing a large number of families.

The Sri Lanka Air Force said a Bell-212 helicopter and Y12 aircrafts had been deployed on flights over Iranaimadhu and Mullaithivu areas to assess the flood situations.

Although floodwaters have now receded, people have been told to remain cautious as the Meteorology Department warned of more rains in the north, east and north central provinces and said heavy rainfall was expected in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces.

Media also reports that the government will provide an amount equivalent to EUR 50 to each affected family in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu District to compensate for the immediate damage caused by floods.

Featured image: Flash floods in Sri Lanka, December 2018