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Bay-of-Bengal depression’s stormy weather fallout wreaks havoc islandwide
A depression buildup in the Bay of Bengal this week caused stormy weather conditions in several areas of the country wreaking havoc.At least one person died and around 300 people were displaced by heavy rains and strong winds, with Kilinochchi District the worst affected.
Chillaw Hospital. Pic by Augustine Fernando
Kilinochchi District Secretary, S. Arumainayagam said one person yesterday (14) drowned in flood waters yesterday in the Vaddakkachchi area, while attempting to herd his cattle.
In a separate incident in Kilinochchi, a 14-year-old girl sleeping inside a temporary shelter was seriously injured after a crocodile, swept in by the floods, attacked her. She is presently undergoing treatment at the Jaffna General Hospital.
“Floods have displaced 78 people, while 240 people have been affected,” Mr. Arumainayagam said. He explained that floods resulted from the opening of five sluice gates of the Iranamadu Tank.
He added that people were being sent to temporary shelters and the Army was helping to transport the affected.
Irrigation, Drainage and Flood System Director K. Sivapalasundaram said four sluice gates of the Thabbowa Tank in Puttalam were opened as it was on the verge of overflowing.
Kanchimaduwa tank, Puttalam. Pic by Hiran Priyankara
People living along the lagoon below the Thabbowa Tank have been warned of possible flooding today.
“Tanks in Anuradhapura, Kandy, Tissa and Padaviya are about to spill. The Indian Meteorological Dept reported that rains would continue for four days, hence we ordered them to open the sluice gates,” he added.
Due to stormy weather conditions, the Disaster Management Centre (DCM) on Friday (13) evacuated 14 families in Matale to a school, for fear of rock-falls and landslides. The DCM is on heightened alert for possible overflowing of tanks countrywide.
Iranamadu tank. Pic by N. Lohathalayan
Trincomalee. Pic by Amadoru Amarajeewa