(MENAFN- NewsIn.Asia) Colombo, May 25 (newsin.asia) - The death toll from Sri Lanka's monsoon rains climbed to 16 on Friday with over 126,000 people affected and thousands of families evacuated to safer zones, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said.
DMC Spokperson, Pradeep Kodippili said while more rains were expected, the police and tri forces were assigned in all the affected districts to carry out relief and search and rescue efforts.
To date over 4000 houses, mainly in the south and north central Sri Lanka have been fully or partially damaged.
Kodippili also warned the naval and fishing communities to be vigilant as the sea areas extending from Mannar, in the north to Pottuvil, in the east and then Colombo, Galle and Hambantota, in the south, could be rough as the wind speed could increase up to 60 to 70 km per hour at times.
The water levels in some major rivers were rising and till Friday morning, disaster relief teams were involved in evacuating families living in low areas to safer zones.
President Maithripala Sirisena, last Wednesday instructed relevant authorities to immediately provide relief to the affected people due to floods and landslides because of continuous torrential rains.
He directed officials to provide relief supplies to those affected and take steps to provide all requirements.
Sri Lanka is facing its annual south west monsoons with the Meteorological Department, in its latest weather report warning of more rains in several districts across the country in the coming days.
The Meteorological Department, in its latest weather forecast said heavy falls about 100 to 150 mm could be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-Western provinces and in Galle, Matara districts.
Fairly heavy falls, above 50 mm could also be expected at some places in the Northern province.
"There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity," the Met. Department said.
Over 200 people were killed and 78 people missing when the southwest monsoons caused severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka last year.
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