Nearly 35,000 families are affected by floods in Batticaloa

Secretary to the Ministry of Resettlement, ACM Razik, told BBC Sandeshaya that four districts in the north and the east are badly affected by the floods.

Jaffna, Batticaloa, Ampara and Polonnaruwa are the worst his districts, he said.

"However, I do not have exact figures on how many people are affected," he told BBC Sinhala.com.

Batticaloa: 35,000 families

The ministry has ordered District and Divisional Secretaries to provide the IDPs with cooked meal and dry rations, where relevant, for three days.

The Rettlement ministry also pledged to compensate to those who lost houses and whose houses were partly destroyed.

	Regional authorities were 'ordered to provide relief' immediately

Over 35,000 families are affected in Batticaloa district alone as continuous heavy rains causing floods, authorities said.

At least 4000 families were displaced but the actual figures are yet to be estimated, Batticaloa Aditional Government Agent (AGA) K Maheshan said.

The Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are in urgent need of drinking water, bedsheets, mats, milk powder for children and other essential items, the regional officer told BBC Sandeshaya.

Regional authorities 'empowered'

The IDP families are kept in 18 centres in the district.

Minister in charge of Disaster Relief and Resettlement, Risath Badiudeen, told BBC Sinhala.com that the ministry has 'empowered' the regional authorities to immediately provide essential supplies.

Floods displaced thousands of people in the east three years ago (Library photo)

A circular was issued to all regional secretaries, the minister said, and disciplinary action will be taken against those who do not abide by the directive.

Funds will be released as soon as the regional autrhorities provide the details of the expenses, the minister added.

Polonnaruwa: 10,000 displaced

Nearly 10,000 people are displaced in Polonnaruwa district, Government Agent Ranjith Wijethilake said.

He told BBC Sandeshaya that the IDPs are provided with cooked meals and dry rations.

It is expected that the IDPs will have to stay in the camps for another couple of days because of the continuous rain NC Province Chief Minister

At least 300 people were made homeless due to the floods in Gal Amuna, Lankapura, journalist Thakshila Dilrukshi Jayasena who visdited the area said.

The IDPs were provided shelter in Gal Amuna Maha Vidyalaya by the Divisional Secretary.

20,000 acres of paddy fields were also destroyed dur to floods.

Polonnaruwa-Colombo railway line and Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa main road are closed due to floods caused by continuous heavy rain.

Anuradhapura: over 400 families

Over 400 families were displaced in Anuradhapura district as Kala Oya overflowed, regional authorities said.

Flood affected distircts Batticaloa - over 35,000 families Polonnaruwa - nearly 10,000 people Anuradhapura - over 400 families Jaffna - no details available

North Western Province Chief Minister, Berty Premalal Dissanayake, told BBC Sandeshaya that those displaced are currently settled in schools and Buddhist temples.

As rain pour continues, it is expected that the IDPs will have to stay in the camps for another few days.

"The government has taken steps to provide food and essential supplies to the IDPs," the Chief Minister said.

The worst floods to hit Anuradhapura district, according to residents, has destroyed at least 300 houses in the area.