Cyclone hits East – 50,000 people displaced
[27 Dec 2000]

A cyclone struck the East coast of Sri Lanka, yesterday displacing over 50,000 people.

The meteorological department sources said that the cyclonic storm with the wind speeds of up to 180 km per hour hit eastern and north central districts leaving some areas under three feet of water.

Reports said the worst affected areas were Trincomalee, Baticaloa, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa district while heavy rains and strong winds also extended inland to Central Province districts of Kandy and Nuwaraeliya.

The rough weather was likely to prevail today, said the Deputy Director of the metrological department.

Sources further said that a 14-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on him in a village in Vavuniya. Most roads had been inundated and power lines are knocked down further aggravating the situation. 

Police advised fisherman to refrain from going out to the deep sea in the East, North East and North coasts within the next 36 hours.

Rescue efforts are under way in all affected areas to free those who are still trapped in their flooded houses.

 “The situation is being monitored and the public is advised to watch out for subsequent warnings,” Met Chief N.A Amaradasa said.

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