COLOMBO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and over 12,000 affected by days of heavy rains and strong winds across Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said on Wednesday.
The death was reported from Matara, in southern Sri Lanka, which was one of the worst affected districts along the southern belt.
The DMC said that over 450 people has been evacuated and relocated to safer shelters since last weekend and the armed forces were on ground in areas which had been inundated.
Over 300 houses were also damaged due to heavy rains and strong winds and the government has promised to grant compensation to the affected families.
Schools remained closed in the Hambantota District in the south on Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday due to bad weather, the Education Ministry said.
In several areas along the southern coastal belt, rough seas had caused sea water to come in land causing floods and immediate evacuations.
The Meteorology Department said in its latest weather update that more rains were expected in the coming days with about 50 to 75 mm falls expected at some places in North-central, Eastern, Uva, Southern Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces.
"General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers," the Meteorology Department said.
