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Sri Lanka + 1 more

La Nina causes flooding in eastern Sri Lanka and the Philippines

Sri Lanka

Torrential rain caused by La Nina weather phenomenon in Sri Lanka has forced 20,000 families to flee their homes and claimed 18 lives, according to the government.

Christian Aid has allocated =A350,000 to partner OfERR who has already begun providing hot meals to people who have lost their homes.

OfERR plans to reach roughly 25,000 people with cooked food and dry rations in some cases. They will also be distributing bedding, clothing, mosquito nets, water purification tablets and utensils in four areas: Batticaloa town, Chenkalady, Vavanuthivu and Kaluvanchikudi.

In Batticaloa District, 95,000 families have been affected; 642 houses totally destroy and another 2,556 partially damaged with many families being housed in temporary accommodation or camps.

The road and rail infrastructure in these two districts are also affected, with sections being washed away. The power has been cut for the last couple of nights and at times during the day.

Last night over 312mm of rain was recorded and our senior programme officer's house was under two foot of water, for the second time this week.

The Philippines

La Nina has also caused heavy rains and landslides in the Philippines, where the death toll now stands at 43 people, with more than a million people affected, according to disaster officials.

Christian Aid has allocated =A350,000 to provide food, cooking utensils, personal hygiene kits and medicines.