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People affected by Uma Oya project could face landslide threats with onset of rain
View(s):The Disaster Mangement centre (DMC) and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) are closely monitoring landslide prone areas in 40 GramaNiladhari divisions in Bandarawela, Divisional Secretary Nihal Gunaratne said.
He said they were also monitoring areas where cracks had occurred due to the Uma Oya Multi purpose project.
“With the start of the rains, warnings were given to areas which are earmarked as high risk areas and people were advised to vacate their houses if there was intense rains (200 mm) within a short period or prolonged rain,” he said.
He said currently only a few families were asked to vacate their homes due to threats of landslide.
He said that the NBRO had said that rain water was seeping through cracks that have occurred due to the Uma Oya project and warned that small scale landslides could occur.
“ People are however panicking due to the seepage of water and are requesting safer areas. But officials have assured us that they are closely monitoring the situation and the need to relocate people would only arise if there was intense prolonged rainfall.
He said around 6800 families already faced the threat of landslides due to the Uma Oya Project.
Meanwhile a resident from Ella said they were experiencing heavy showers and have been warned of landslides but the people have refused to leave their homes claiming that they have not been provided with proper alternate places with facilities.
Meanwhile Ranjith Kirthi Tennakoon, executive Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and civic action leader said due to the Uma Oya Project the springs at Bandarawela and Ella areas have gone dry and some areas are caving in while cracks are appearing in other areas.
He said 146 families have been warned to vacate their houses due to the threat of landslide if rains continued. However householders say they have not been provided funds by the district secretariat to rent houses or even tents.
Mr. Tennakoon said plans have been made to evacuate people with the assistance of the District Secretariat and the security forces if the necessity arose.
Meanwhile the Uma Oya Bahujana Virodi Viyapruthiyata Erehi Janatha Viyaparaya’s co chairman Wasantha Sanjeewa said that they have called for a protest against the UMa Oya project on Tuesday.
He said although the DMC and NBRO have warned the public that they are expecting land slide threats they have not provided houses, or properly looked into the issues of the people.
