Twister rips through Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, which is already reeling from widespread floods and earth slips, was hit by another natural disaster on Sunday, when a tornado swept through the southern part of the country, damaging 23 houses, 'Ceylon Today' reported.

According Assistant Director of Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Pradeep Kodippili, no deaths or injuries were reported from the twister that struck the Habaraduwa area towards the evening

Duty Forecaster of the Met Department, Meril Mendis said the tornado occurred around 4pm, and warned these types of little tornados can occur when there are thunder showers during the inter-monsoonal season.

The tornado comes on the heels of torrential rain that have left a trail of death and destruction.

The latest figures put the death toll at 40, with seven missing and 20 injured.

A further 401,998 comprising 110, 204 families in 18 districts have been affected by the deluge that began on December 17. Of this, 39,191 have been rendered displaced and housed in 242 evacuation camps, according to the DMC.

The floods and landslides had completely destroyed 4,191 houses, while partially damaging 21,705 houses in the 18 affected districts.

Eastern Province was worst affected where 231,160 persons from 62,446 families were displaced in the Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee districts with 10 deaths being reported and 2,168 houses destroyed.

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