19 persons dead and over eighty thousand families affected by flood

The number of families affected by flood and landslides has mounted to 82,420. The highest number of affected persons is reported from the Kalutara district. Additional District Secretary L.C. Perera said low lying areas are still underwater. Boat services are operating to assist the affected people.

Irrigation Engineer of Kalutara W.N. Silva said the water level of the Kalu Ganga has risen to 6.9 feet. As a result the flood situation in Kalutara will escalate. Meanwhile, in the Ratnapura district both floods and landslides have affected families. Officials of the National Building Research Institute are engaged in identifying landslide prone areas. The highest number of displaced persons in the Kegalle district is reported from the Dehiowita Divisional Secretariat area.
Colombo District Secretary G.A.J. Sylvester said  that the number of families affected in the district stand at 15,534. He said five camps are operating to facilitate the displaced. The divisional secretariat division of Kaduwela and Kolonnawa are the worst affected. He said however, water levels are receding in some parts of the district. District Secretary of Gampaha K.V. Ruparathne said water levels continue to rise in Ja-Ela, Minuwangoda and Wattala areas.
 Eleven welfare camps are operating in the district. In the Galle district the Omulla Government Hospital in Neluwa faces the threat of landslides. Chief Medical Officer of the Hospital Dr. D.A.G. Indrajith said only the Maternity Ward is functioning.

The National Disaster Relief Services Centre says so far 19 persons have died in the floods and four others are missing. The government has so far allocated 29 million rupees to assist persons affected by floods and torrential rains. Director of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre N.D. Hettiarachchi said  that the highest allocation of 12 million rupees is for the Ratnapura district.