Over 8,000 people affected as flash floods wreak havoc in Sri Lanka

Over 8,000 people in Sri Lanka have been affected by rains and flash floods that have caused havoc across the nation, officials said.

Several people were evacuated from their homes due to heavy rain on Sunday, but as the rain stopped on Monday, the situation was coming under control, Disaster Management Centre’s spokesperson Pradeep Kodippilli said.

Around 8,377 individuals in Kalutara and the Galle districts were affected with the flood situation and due to heavy rain on Sunday, the centre said

About 7,742 people in Galle district and 635 people in Kalutara district were affected with the flood situation, Kodippilli was quoted by a leading daily. 

The flood situation is improving slowly, he said, adding that no damages or casualties were reported but those living in low areas have been asked to be vigilant.

Meanwhile, Meteorology Department said that showers or thundershowers will happen over most provinces.

It said showers is expected to occur in the Western and Southern provinces and in the Puttalam districts, as per the reports.

Sri Lanka, which has been heavily deforested for cash crops, sometimes witnesses landslides during the monsoon season.

Heavy flood and landslides killed at least 92 people and left 110 missing, last year.  

Over 20,000 people had been displaced in seven districts as the south western monsoon wreaked havoc, dismantling hundreds of houses and cutting off several roads.

(with inputs from agencies)