Over 130,000 people displaced due to heavy rains in Sri Lanka

Over 130,000 people have been displaced due to heavy rains that continued all over Sri Lanka since Saturday (May 14). According to the latest situation report from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Sri Lanka, over 200,000 people in 19 districts are affected by the current weather.

Most World Vision programmes areas are affected by the adverse weather, with the worst affected being the Wattala Urban Development Programme in Western Sri Lanka. Over 30,800 people displaced in Wattala area are sheltered in 44 safe camps. The World Vision team in Wattala is already responding to affected families, providing them with cooked meals. The government has requested World Vision assistance to provide food for 10,000 families.

According to the Meteorology Department the continuous rain is due to a low pressure zone above Sri Lanka. The department announced that although the low pressure area is moving away from the island, the rain and the strong winds might continue for a few more days.

The World Vision team in Wattala is already responding to affected families, providing them with cooked meals.

World Vision team in Wattala will continue to visit the affected families and prioritise their needs. The team will provide dry rations and hygiene kits in the coming days. 

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) has issued landslide warnings to several districts after heavy rain falls.

The World Vision team in Pathana, Central Sri Lanka evacuated 16 families in their community last week following a crack that appeared on the hills above the community. World Vision together with the government and the Estate Management continue to assist them with food and water.