Adverse weather destroys over 1,700 houses in SL

Colombo, Aug 12 (IANS) Over 1,700 houses have been damaged from days of strong winds and heavy rains in Sri Lanka since last Thursday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Monday.The DMC said 1,747 houses were partially damaged while 22 houses were fully damaged, Xinhua news agency reported.The highest number of damaged houses was in the central highlands of Nuwera Eliya district. Over 50 people from the area were evacuated to safe shelters.Sri Lanka has been facing adverse weather for days, with the Navy gearing up for possible floods after a warning was issued by the Meteorology Department.In its latest weather update, the Meteorology Department said the heavy rains and strong winds were likely to continue in several parts of the country in the upcoming days.Heavy lightening was also expected in some areas and the public was urged to remain cautious, officials said.
--IANS soni/