Cyclone Fengal swept the Tamil homeland today, leaving tens of thousands of families displaced as floods slammed homes across the island.
Floods left roads across the North-East completely closed off, with tens of thousands of people due to travel to the site of former cemeteries to mark Maaveerar Naal today. Whilst many braved the weather, several also chose to stay at home and hold private commemorations instead.
According to Sri Lankan government figures, in the Northern Province, a total of 17,922 families with 62,505 people are affected, whilst in the Eastern Province, a total of 36,811 families of 129,531 people have been impacted by the weather.
Amparai
Amparai is the heaviest impacted district with a total of 34,885 families of 123,876 people affected.
Several children remain missing, after a tractor was swept away by floodwaters in Karaitivu. The search to find them remains ongoing.
Jaffna
According to Disaster Management Center, a total of 2,706 families with 9,642 people were affected with 47 houses partially damaged. Three critical infrastructures in Point Pedro were damaged. There are however only 3 designated safe locations for the district, housing only 6 families. DIG Nihal Thalduwa went on Daily Mirror to announce that the flooding closed the A9 road in Omanthai, Jaffna.
The roads surrounding Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil are overwhelmed by the flash floods in Nallur, Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The temple is culturally significant to Tamils with many temples built in Europe and North America using the same name in its honour.
Kilinochchi
A total of 811 families with 2750 people are affected with 7 houses partially damaged. There are however only 2 designated safe locations for the district, housing only 9 families. The Situation Report states that the district is experiencing high winds and floods.
Mullaitivu
A total of 148 families with 480 people are affected. There is however only 1 designated safe location for the district, housing 53 families with a total of 160 people.
Captured in Thunukkai
Mannar
A total of 14237 families with 49560 people are affected. Heavy rains have left five houses partially damaged with 160 people retreating to the designated safe location.
Vavuniya
A total of 20 families with 73 people are affected.
Trincomalee
A total of 1,537 families of 4,385 people are affected.
Batticaloa
A total of 389 families of 1,270 people are affected.
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