10 dead, nearly 85,000 affected by severe weather

The number of deaths due to the inclement weather has also increased to 10, the center said.

84,943 persons belonging to 18,542 families have been affected by the disaster situation.

According to the Disaster Management Center, 27,621 persons belonging to 7526 families have been displaced and are being kept in 194 protected areas.

The highest number is reported from Ratnapura District which is 24,625.

22,673 persons in the Gampaha District, 12,760 persons in the Puttalam District and 7482 persons in the Colombo District have been affected by the disaster, said the Disaster Management Center.

Department of Irrigation said that if the water levels of the rivers are going down, there would be a risk if rains continue.

Meanwhile, three sluice gates of the Udawalawa reservoir have also been opened by the morning today (23).

The Department of Meteorology has announced that rains are expected to increase considerably from today in the Southwestern part of Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Kaduwela Bridge constructed across the Kelani River connecting the Biyagama and Kaduwela towns is in danger with heavy rains, said the Road Development Authority.