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Monsoon downpours are forecast to intensify in mid-October
View(s):By Jayanie Madawala
Several areas across the island experienced floods and were battered by heavy rainfall due to the active South-West monsoon, the Meteorological Department said.
Meteorological Department Director General Athula Karunanayake told the Sunday Times that the showery weather was expected to increase by October 10 and 11.
The Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as the Galle, Matara, Puttalam, Kandy, and Nuwara-Eliya districts, were among the regions where the Meteorological Department predicted heavy showers with precipitation of about 100 mm.
The Irrigation Department has informed people living in surrounding low-lying areas to remain vigilant of minor flood situations in the Kalu, Kuda, Gin, and Nilwala rivers.
Irrigation Department Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said the northern and western parts of the country and the southern districts of Galle and Matara experienced considerable amounts of rain, and many places were inundated. He said that, given the weather pattern, several areas faced enhanced flood threats.
The public can stay updated about the water levels of the rivers from the website www.river.net.lk. The Kalu and Kelani rivers are especially highlighted for the public to be vigilant.
The Disaster Management Centre reported that more than 6,000 people belonging to 1,747 families faced hardships due to heavy wind and heavy rainfall, particularly in Sabaragamuwa, Western, North Central, Northern, and Southern provinces.
The Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre (Kalutara), Colonel A. Amarasekera, said two sluice gates in Kukule Ganga were opened, and as a result, the water levels of Kuda Ganga have risen, inundating several areas. The Bulathsinhala Molkawa main road was flooded, prompting the authorities to close three schools in the area: Halwatura Tamil School, Kithulagoda K.V., and Ihala Welgama Schools.
The highest rainfall of 114.3 mm was recorded in Morelia in the Kegalle District, while Wogan Estate in Matugama recorded 70.3mm.
The National Building Research Organisation has extended its landslide warnings to five districts: Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, and Ratnapura.
The public has been urged to pay attention to certain pre-landslide signs, such as the emergence of cracks in the ground or cracks in the floors or walls of buildings built on slopes, the slanting of trees, electrical posts, fences, and telephone posts, and the sudden appearance of springs, emerging muddy water, and the blockage and disappearance of existing springs.
The NBRO has issued Level 1 (yellow) warnings to: Galle – Nagoda, Baddegama and Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs); Kalutara – Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Mathugama DSDs; Kandy – Udapalatha DSDs; Kegalle – Yatiyantota, Deraniyagala, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella and Dehiowita DSDs and other surrounding areas; Ratnapura – Ayagama, Elapatha, Kolonna, Pelmadulla, Kahawaththa, Kiriella, Godakawela and Nivithigala DSDs and other surrounding areas.
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