Eight killed as heavy rains, landslides affect over 11,000 people
COLOMBO – The death toll from weather-related incidents across Sri Lanka rose to eight on Tuesday (4), with more than 11,800 people affected by heavy rains, floods and landslides, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said in its latest situation report.
The DMC said 11,832 people from 3,014 families across nine districts have been affected, with 3,538 people moved to 51 safety centres as rescue and relief operations continue. Fifty-six divisional secretariat divisions have been badly hit. One house has been completely destroyed and 290 partially damaged, while three people have been injured.
Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Ratnapura districts have borne the brunt of the disaster. Nuwara Eliya alone accounted for six of the eight deaths, with 3,951 people from 1,091 families affected and 115 houses damaged. Of those displaced in the district, 2,195 people from 523 families are in 20 relief camps, while another 224 are staying with relatives.
The Department of Meteorology warned that wet weather will persist, with showers or thundershowers expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces, and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Rainfall exceeding 75 mm is possible in parts of Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, the Department said, with showers also forecast for parts of Uva, the Eastern Province and Mullaitivu district after 2 p.m. Wednesday (5).
Strong winds of 40–50 kmph are likely at times over the North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-Western Provinces and in Trincomalee district. The public has been urged to take precautions against wind and lightning damage.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued red-level landslide evacuation warnings, effective until 9 a.m. Wednesday, for Pasbage Korale, Ganga Ihala Korale and Ududumbara in Kandy district; Yatiyantota in Kegalle district; and Ambagamuwa and Norwood in Nuwara Eliya district.
Amber-level warnings remain in place across a wider stretch of Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts, including Udapalatha, Doluwa, Medadumbara, Deltota, Panwila, Aranayaka, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale East, Kothmale West, Thalawakelle, Opanayaka, Imbulpe and Ratnapura. Yellow-level warnings apply to Kegalle, Hanguranketha in Nuwara Eliya, and Nivitigala and Kuruwita in Ratnapura, with residents advised to stay alert.
Disruptions caused by rain, flooding, uprooted trees and landslides on main roads have been cleared, and major routes have returned to normal, including the Colombo–Kandy road at Kadugannawa. Police have, however, cautioned motorists to drive carefully on the Nuwara Eliya–Badulla, Nuwara Eliya–Hatton and Nuwara Eliya–Kandy roads, particularly the Topaz–Labukelle stretch, due to thick fog.
The Irrigation Department meanwhile, withdrew flood danger warnings for the Kelani and Kalu river basins on Tuesday after water levels returned to normal. The alerts had been issued in stages amid volatile weather, first for the Kelani Ganga on Sunday (2) afternoon, then for the Kalu Ganga about 30 minutes later, and again for the Kelani Ganga later that evening.
The department’s Hydrology and Disaster Management Division said it continues to monitor rainfall and river levels nationwide. Director of Irrigation and Chief Engineer L.S. Suriya Bandara said the public would be informed in advance should flood danger conditions arise again.
-ENCL
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