Sri Lanka flood toll rises to 27, Indian assistance arrives

The death toll in the floods has climbed to 27 while another 12 persons are still missing, the disaster management centre (DRC) said today.

The devastation caused by the monsoon floods has already hit one million and fifty thousand persons. More than 361,000 persons have been left homeless and provided temporary shelter at 594 camps, DRC said today.

Meteorological department says it has seen a significant drop in rain fall.
"We have seen a relatively significant drop in rain yesterday after experiencing heavy showers across the country for about a week," meteorological duty forecaster Chaminda De Silva told PTI.

"We can also expect the easing off of low temperature experienced during the last couple of days. Though the possibility of showers remain, it will be relatively low," De Silva said.

The eastern province affected by the bloody civil war for decades has been the worst affected. The Batticaloa district has received a rainfall as high as 1602.2 mm during last 42 days, which is only 46.7 mm short of its annual rainfall, the Information Department said.

Foreign governments and NGOs have come forward to provide assistance to flood victims.

India responded quickly to Sri Lanka's call for assistance by sending a consignment of relief supply by an special air craft.

The 25 tons of relief material, including food, drinking water, sleeping mats, blankets and bed sheets arrived in the country today, officials said.

Mahinda Amraweera, disaster management minister of Sri Lanka received the donation at the airport.

Indian Air Force air craft will carry the rest of the relief assistance on Monday, officials said.

Islamic and Arabian countries also held talks with external affairs ministry to support flood victims, the state radio announced.

UN agencies are also involved in providing relief supplies to affected people.
Seven truck loads of supplies sent by UNICEF have reached the worst affected eastern province yesterday.

Sri Lankan government has spent Rs 139 million for relief supply and operations. The floods also destroyed 400,000 acres of paddy fields and around two hundred irrigation tanks.

Sri Lankan officials estimated the loss of around Rs 30 billion in recent flooding in the country.

Meanwhile, several wild animals also believed to have been perished due to floods.