40,000 families affected by floods

40,000 families affected by floods in E Sri Lanka

Some 40,000 families have been affected by floods caused by incessant rains in the eastern district of Ampara, government officials said Monday.
Sunil Kannangara, the chief administrative officer in the district, said torrential rains have been falling in the district since Saturday.
Low-lying areas in Alayadiwembu, Pottuvil, Karathivu, Akkaraipattu, Sammanthurai and Thirukkovil are under four feet of water with most of the main roads becoming impassable.
"Floods are caused by difficulties in draining out rain water", Kannangara said, adding that some 63 families had been displaced.
Relief operations are already underway, he said.