COLOMBO : At least 14 people have been killed and 2,45,000 have been affected due to heavy rains in Sri Lanka, according to authorities.
Out of the 14 killed, five deaths have been reported from Kegalle, located 88 kilometres away from capital Colombo, while three deaths have been reported from the Ratnapura District, Xinhua reported.
Two people have been reported missing while two more have been injured.
Read More
- Keralam: Vizhinjam International seaport to begin full-scale export-import operations from August 18
- Fresh 5.9 quake hits Indonesia’s Flores region; Death toll from earlier 7.7 tremor rises to 54
- Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 294 as rescue hopes fade
- Oman negotiations, reopening of Hormuz are two separate issues: Iranian FM Araghchi
- At least 47 killed, 157 homes damaged as Indonesia reels from devastation after three earthquakes
According to DMC statistics, 15,658 people have been moved to safer locations, while over 800 houses have been damaged.
The Sri Lankan Meteorology Department, in its latest weather report, said that heavy falls of 150 mm could be expected in the coming days and the public were urged to be cautious especially from heavy lightning.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy said that following rising concerns, there was no threat of furnace oil from tanks at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery being mixed into the Kelani River in the outskirts of Colombo.
Tanks containing furnace oil at the oil refinery had overflown with rainwater following the heavy downpour on Saturday.
Due to the adverse weather, the Health Ministry said the vaccination program on COVID-19 had also suffered a setback.
Deputy Director-General of Health Services Hemantha Herath told local media that while the vaccination rollout in the districts had not been suspended, officials however could not perform their 100 per cent due to heavy rains. (ANI)
Liked this story? We’ll send you more. Subscribe to TAS newsletter and get stories delivered to your inbox. Click to get started.
