Heavy rains, floods and earth slips claims seven lives, schools closed tomorrow

The Meteorology Department has issued a red alert of heavy showers in three provinces, as adverse weather conditions claimed the lives of at least seven persons and left thousands displaced.

Accordingly, the Western, Sabaragamuwa an North Western provinces are expected to receive rain falls of over 150 mm in the next 24 hours, the Department said.

The adverse weather conditions forced the Education Ministry to declare a school holiday tomorrow.

The deaths have been reported from the Awissawella area where three persons from the same family were killed due to floods. A 78 year old person, his 36 year old daughter and a seven year old grand daughter were the victims.

Two persons were killed in an earth slip in the Pallewela are.  

Two others were killed in Thawalama, Galle after they were caught in flood waters.

The Ratnapura area including the town has faced a flood situation. 

In Neluwa, Galle, the areas around the hospital is currently underwater and hospital authorities have made standby arrangements with the Sri Lanka Air Force to airlift  any patients to other hospitals if the need arises.

In Ratnapura,  eight divisional secretary areas have been affected by floods and if the rains continue throughout the day the situation could be worse,  District Secretary Wasantha Gunaratne said.

The Kandy – Colombo main road was blocked after a large tree had fallen across the road.  Police has diverted traffic and measures were underway to remove the tree.

Earlier in the day, the Power and Energy Ministry announced that power supplies were disconnected in several areas as a precautionary step. However, falling of trees and floods also has disrupted power supplies.

The Disaster Management Centre said those living close to the riverbanks of Kelani, Nilwala, Ginganga and Kalu rivers have been warned to be cautious about the rising water levels. Some of them already have been evacuated.

Meanwhile the Security forces has stepped in to assist the ongoing relief operations.

The Sri Lanka Navy said it proactively deployed relief teams on Saturday, to vulnerable areas in the districts of Kalutara, Galle, and Matara.

To address the ensuing flood risk, 10 Navy flood relief teams have been deployed to the affected areas of Bulathsinhala, Puwakpitiya, Palindanuwara, Welipanna in the Kaluthara district, Thavalama in the Galle district and Akurassa and Panadugama in the Matara district providing essential relief to the impacted communities.

In addition, 116 Navy relief teams, including units from the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Special Boat Squadron, and Navy Marines, are on standby. They are prepared to be deployed immediately to assist the public in the event of flooding.

Police has established a Special Operations Room to assist the public affected due to adverse weather. The hotline number is 011-2421820. Other numbers are 0112439212, 0112013036 and 0112013039.

Meanwhile President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardena to promptly allocate funds to the District Secretaries to provide urgent assistance to those affected by adverse weather conditions.