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Deadly deluge set to continue, danger flagged for six districts
A flooded home in Mannar, one of the badly affected districts. Pic by Romesh Madushanka
Intense rainfall in the past week caused deaths and destruction of homes from flooding and landslides in many parts of Sri Lanka.
Five people have been killed and one person is missing.
More than 4,000 face hardships due to heavy rainfall, strong winds, and a few landslides, the Disaster Management Centre reported.
According to the DMC, 12 houses are fully damaged and and 630 partially damaged. The Badulla district is the worst hit.
Most rivers have swelled, while a few reservoirs are also at spill levels.
Floods, landslides, or rain damage were reported in Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Badulla, Mannar, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Matale and Puttalam districts.
Almost 3,000 people had been facing difficulties with around 1,307 of them in Badulla where the Demodara reservoir overflowed.
Weather forecaster Shiromalee Jayawaradane, said the inter-monsoon conditions will prevail for longer.
She added that 100mm of rainfall can be expected in some areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Incessant rain in Colombo. Pic by Eshan Fernando
Strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms are predicted.
S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, the director of irrigation (hydrology), said the situation may vary depending on rains.
The sluice gates of the Deduru Oya and Rajangana reservoirs have been opened while sluice gates of the Weheragala reservoir were opened.
There is no danger to low lying areas, so far, but residents are advised to not bathe or use boats in those areas.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for six districts Badulla, Galle Kandy, Kegalle, Matale and Nuwara Eliya. Senior scientist of the National Building Research Organisation, Wasantha Senadheera said the Level 2 (amber) warning remains.
Since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100mm, people living in the mentioned areas have been told to be aware of potential landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence, and to evacuate to safe locations if the need arises.
Sri Lanka Army soldiers have been sent to assist people in flood affected areas and for clearing waterways, and road clearances for traffic.