23 killed, thousands hit by heavy rains in Lanka

At least 23 persons were killed and more than 166,000 persons were affected due to heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka in the past 10 days, official figures indicated yesterday.More than 75,013 of the affected people have been evacuated from flooded areas whereas 13 persons have been reported missing, the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.The displaced have been put up in 339 camps and shelters. Rain and strong winds have lashed around 20 districts, especially in the southern half of the country, for more than a week now, Efe news reported.At least 1,359 members of the armed forces have been deployed in rescue operations across the country, and another 6,264 are on standby, the centre said.Every year, Sri Lanka experiences heavy rain during the monsoon.In June last year, monsoon rain and cyclone Mora had caused at least 212 deaths. As many as 79 persons were reported missing.The government has allocated Rs33.8mn to provide relief to those affected and displaced by the floods and landslides.The National Disaster Centre has also allocated Rs38.66mn. A household resettling advance of Rs10,000 for 16 districts has been transferred by NDRSC totalling Rs35.28mn.Army troops are ready to provide flood rescue and relief while the Navy has deployed 201 boats for flood rescue.The meteorology department forecasts more rain in the southwestern part of the island.The DMC said that red alerts issued to the districts will still be in effect.