More than 10,500 people from 2,736 families have been affected by adverse weather conditions across 12 districts, with one death reported and 215 houses partially damaged, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
The latest situation report, covering the period from October 23 to 6 p.m. today (26), said two houses had been completely damaged, while one person had sustained injuries.
Puttalam recorded the highest number of affected people, with 8,446 people from 2,166 families affected. One 56-year-old person died due to drowning in Madampe.
Ratnapura district reported 1,264 people from 315 families affected, while 218 people from 61 families were affected in Kalutara.
Meanwhile, 182 people from 67 families are currently staying at four safety centres in Colombo, Ratnapura and Mannar. A further 60 people from 12 families are staying with relatives.
In a separate incident today, a tree fell on a house in the Urugala East area of Ingiriya, Kalutara district, injuring the house owner, who was admitted to Horana Hospital. The house sustained partial damage.
Another tree fell across the Panadura–Ratnapura road at Nambapana, temporarily obstructing traffic. The tree was subsequently removed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said the deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal had intensified into Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’.
The system was located approximately 1,100 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai at 8.30 a.m. yesterday and was moving northwestwards, with a strong westward component.
The system was expected to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, according to the weather bulletin issued at 4 p.m. today.
Authorities continue to monitor the developing weather situation as the country experiences adverse weather conditions.