Sri Lanka: Floods - Dec 2007

Heavy rains from 16–24 December 2007 resulted in progressively large numbers of affected and displaced people. During the first two days of the rains, the main affected areas were limited to four Divisions in the central region of the Batticaloa District (Koralai pattu and Eravur pattu). By 20 December, additional Divisions (Kiran, Manmunai, Chenkalady, Kattankudy, Vavunatheevu, Vaazhaichcheanai and Vaakarai) experienced flooding, and the number of affected people rose to 15,554. Continued heavy rains from 23–24 December caused a significant increase in affected Divisions, which spread from the northern tip of Batticaloa District down to most of the District’s coastline. The population of the affected districts totalled some 250,000, which included more than 40,255 displaced in 37 welfare centres and schools. A break in the rains after 24 December resulted in the return of the majority of families, with only 252 individuals who remained displaced as of 27 December. (OCHA, 27 Dec 2007)