(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The Government is taking swift measures to provide relief to people affected by the adverse weather conditions through the Divisional Secretariats in the respective areas, a statement issued by the Government Information Department said.
Due to the bad weather many areas are inundated while roads were blocked by landslides. “The Tri-Forces, Police and the Disaster Management Centre personnel are taking necessary action to overcome the situation,” the statement read.
The Commissioner General of Examination Sanath B.Pujitha stated that G.C.E O/L Examination candidates are allowed to sit at the closest examination centre due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
At least six people were killed and four injured due to the adverse weather conditions in the country, according to the latest update from Disaster Management centre. Four deaths were reported from the Nuwara Eliya district due to a landslide.
Meanwhile, four people were injured, three from Badulla District due to a landslide and one from flash floods in Mullaitivu district.
Around 4,126 people belonging to 1,156 families have been affected by the inclement weather conditions, stated the Disaster Management Centre. The number of fully damaged houses are reported as two and partially damaged houses are reported as 27.
A total of 569 persons belonging to 158 families are currently taking shelter at four safety shelters, according to the DMC.
The Attanagalu Oya has reached spill level in the Dunamalai area owing to the heavy rains experienced in several districts last Saturday (30).
Moreover the Vanneri Wewa in Kilinochchi has too reached spill level.
Further, several sluice gates of the Rajanganaya, Udawalawa, Ulhitiya, Tabbowa, Angamuwa, Deduru Oya, Ibbankatuwa and Upper Kotmale reservoirs have been opened.
Traffic has been disrupted in several areas yesterday including the Haldummulla-Kiriwanagama Road in Badulla District, Welimada Road and Badulla-Passara Road in Nuwara Eliya District.
Badulla-Haldummulla and the Ragala-Nuwara Eliya roads had been blocked due to earth slips yesterday.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has declared the Ratnapura, Badulla and Kegalle districts as landslide-prone districts. Landslide warnings have also been issued for these areas.
Daily News Batticoloa correspondent T.M.Jawferkhan, reported that 297 individuals have been displaced from 83 families in the Batticaloa district.The District Secretary had stated that victims were taken into camps.
Asela Kuruluwansa also reported that 125 people belonging to 30 families have been displaced in the Norwood area due to the Keselgamu Oya overflowing.
Anuradhapura correspondent Amila Prabath Wanasinghe also reported that the Malwathu oya is at spill level and the water levels of the tanks in the district have increased.
N. Nawarathna from Meegahakiula repoted that the Mahiyangana road was blocked due to earth mounds and trees that fell due to the heavy rains and high winds yesterday.
Uva Province Correspondent Prasanna Padmasiri Bandara reported that 46 people from 18 families have been displaced due to an earthslip in the Bibila Hodagala hill.
The Meteorology Department also predicts showers and thundershowers over the island for the next few days.Afternoon showers are expected in the Northern, Eastern and Uva Provinces today. (2)
Heavy showers about 100-150mm are likely at some places in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Battichloa, Ampara and the Badulla districts.
Fairly heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Rathnapura, Kegalle Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Matale, Kaluthara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Westem, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.
General public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Predicting the weather forecast for the sea areas Metrology Department says that Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Kankasanturai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
Heavy falls may occur at some places in the sea areas extending from Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the other sea areas in the afternoon or night.
Winds will be North-easterly and speed will be (20-a0) kmph in the sea areas around the island.
The sea areas extending from Kankasanturai to Negambo via Mannar and Puttalam will be fairly rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times.
Temporarily strong gusty winds (up to 70-80 kmph) and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
