Significant reduction in rainfall after October 17

There will be a slight reduction in rainfall today (15) and tomorrow (16) compared to yesterday (14), the Meteorology Department said, adding that a significant reduction in the current adverse weather conditions is expected after October 17.

The Department forecast that showers or thundershowers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western and Northern Provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy, Trincomalee and Nuwara Eliya districts today.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), three persons have been killed and 134,484 individuals from 34,492 families were affected yesterday evening (14) from the severe weather conditions across 13 districts in the country. The Gampaha district reported the most damage, with 82,839 individuals from 20,553 families affected.

Deaths have been reported in the Millaniya, Kolonnawa and Kaduwela areas.

Meanwhile, at a media briefing on the current disaster situation, the Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) of the Defence Ministry, K.G. Dharmathilaka stated, “There are currently 2,470 families comprising 10,369 individuals housed in 79 shelters. The government and other groups are making significant efforts to provide cooked food, medical assistance, and two daily servings of milk tea for children in the shelters. Additionally, the President has ordered the allocation of required funds to support the rehabilitation efforts of those affected by the disaster.”

Dharmathilaka added, “We have also taken steps to provide Rs. 33 million to the District Secretaries of the four most affected districts – Gampaha, Puttalam, Kalutara, and Colombo. The remaining districts have been allocated a total of Rs. 84 million.”

“In addition, our Ministry has reserved another Rs. 60 million to be utilized for future needs. We are prepared to release these funds based on further requests and requirements,” he noted.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha and other officials participated in the media briefing.

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