At least 80,000 affected by floods in Sri Lanka

At least 80,000 people have been affected by flash floods in many parts of Sri Lanka while over thousands have been displaced, the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center said here on Monday.

Rescue teams are currently in the worst affected areas providing relief items to the families who have been temporarily sheltered in schools and churches and over 700 army troops are in the northern part of the island nation conducting rescue and relief operations.

According to the Sri Lanka Red Cross, the north has been the worst affected by the heavy rains.

Troops have also been involved in evacuating many people residing in the northern coastal areas due to threats of further floods as all low coastal areas and causeways have gone under water, the army said.

Similarly, the Navy with their boats are on standby to face any worse scenario with the escalation of torrential rains and they remain prepared to deploy its personnel on flood relief operations to render assistance to the people affected.

Troops are currently providing basic amenities such as drinking water, soaps, mats and food to the people affected.

Meanwhile, local media reported that at least one person was killed in the floods in the northern town of Killinochchi over the weekend while at least five people who were trapped in rising waters were rescued on Saturday by the Navy in the eastern town of Trincomalee. Endit