COLOMBO – Several parts of Colombo were inundated as heavy rain continued to lash most parts of the country on Sunday (6), and strong winds that accompanied the rains uprooted trees along several main roads, leading to traffic chaos.
A 59-year-old woman was killed in Habaraduwa, in the Southern Province, crushed under an uprooted tree.
Floods were also reported in Galle and Hali-Ela.
The National Building Research Organization issued landslide early warnings for the Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts, while the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology issued a ‘Red’ alert, warning of strong winds and rough sea areas until 9.00 a.m. on Monday (7).
It warned wind speed could increase up to 70 kmph in the deep and shallow sea areas around the island. Fishermen were warned that it would be too dangerous to venture into Sea areas and naval communities were requested to be vigilant.
The Met Dept. urged the general public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity and localized strong winds during thundershowers.
The NBRO said that special attention must be given to all mountainous areas, manmade cut slopes and roads within the relevant DS Divisions.
Level 1 and 2 warnings were also issued to Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) in the Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Western Provinces.
-ENCL