200 Dead In Ceylon, 300,000 Homeless
(Rec. 9 p.m.) COLOMBO, December 28. The death-roll in Ceylon’s floods topped 200 tonight with 300,000 people homeless as the trail of devastation began spreading from" east to west across the island.
The swollen Kelani river broke its banks and submerged low-lying areas of North Colombo, and 4000 people were evacuated.
On the east coast, the fishing town of Muttur is reported under water, and its population of 5500 has been evacuated.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the irrigation system in the eastern and central zones. Soldiers helping in rescue work reported that in many areas they are unable to supply the inhabitants with food because of impassable roads. Low-hanging clouds prevented three Indian Air Force Dakotas dropping food and medicine over the stricken areas.
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Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 7
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137200 Dead In Ceylon, 300,000 Homeless Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 7
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