The fury of strong winds, heavy rains

Ridma Dissanayake and Sarath Welagedara (Elahara Group Corr)

Strong winds and heavy rains destroyed 178 houses in Badulla, Monaragala, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts on Saturday. Five houses in the Veheragala area in Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat Division of the Polonnaruwa district were completely destroyed and around 60 families affected.

The heavy rains combined with strong winds also destroyed paddy cultivation in the Monaragala district. The Polonnaruwa district received rains after a four month drought and the rains prevailed over three hours. Sixty families in Dimbulagala, Tamankaduwa, Hingurakgoda were affected due to the rains and winds.

Polonnaruwa District GA said all measures have been taken by the government to grant compensation to the affected families.