More than 20,000 families affected by floods in Sri Lanka

Colombo (dpa) - Heavy continuous rains in most parts of Sri Lanka have affected more than 20,000 families and left several roads impassable, officials said Tuesday. The western province, which includes the capital Colombo, the central Ratnapura and the southern Galle district were among the worst affected areas in the country while heavy showers continued for the second continuous day. In the north the rebel held Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu areas were also hit by floods, badly affecting victims from last year's tsunami living in temporary shelters.
At least two main roads leading out of Colombo were impassable prompting the police to divert traffic causing major traffic blocks.

The Meteorological Department said that a disturbance caused in the Bay of Bengal had led to the continuous rains and they expect the situation to prevail for at least more day.

"The water levels in the main river flowing through the capital is increasing and we are expecting the flood levels to rise," the chief government administrator for the district, Joseph Sylvester said. dpa ad pw