Islandwide bad weather : Five dead, two injured & over 1100 families affected

At least five persons have been killed and two others injured due to the current bad weather condition that prevails in most parts of the island, according to the Situation Report issued last night by the Disaster Management Centre. One individual also reported missing from Mathale district since last Thursday. 

Accordingly, 4391 persons from 1143 families have been affected in the country. Among them, 251 persons from 63 families relocated to safe locations. 

Twelve houses have been completely damaged while 635 houses partially damaged, according to DMC. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorological said in a general weather forecast that cloudy skies will continue to prevail over most parts of the island throughout the day with showers or thundershowers will occur at times over most parts of the island.

According to the weather forecast issued by the department, very heavy showers above 150mm are likely at some places in Western, North-western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts. 

Heavy showers about 100 mm can be expected at some places in Uva and Northern provinces and in Matale, Galle and Matara districts.

The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The forecast also said that it is expected that a low-pressure area will develop around the island during the next few days. Naval and fishing communities are kindly requested to be attentive in future weather forecasts. 

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) last night issued a fresh landslide early warnings issued for the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Rathnapura districts due to bad weather coupled with heavy rains in the last three days. 

Accordingly, under WARNING LEVEL 1 - WATCH (YELLOW)-warning issued for following areas: Ella & Passara in Badulla district. Seethawaka in Colombo district.Nagoda, Yakkalamulla & Neluwa in Galle district. Horana & Ingiriya in Kalutara district.Ganga Ihala Korale, Yatinuwara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Harispattuwa, Pathahewaheta & Udapalatha in Kandy district. Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Bulathkohupitiya, Kegalle, Rambukkana & Mawanella in Kegalle district. Mallawapitiya & Mawathagama in Kurunegala district.Nivithigala, Elapatha,Kiriella & Kuruwita in Ratnapura district. 

WARNING LEVEL 2 - Alert (Amber) Rattota & Ukuwela in Matale district. Elpitiya & Baddegama in Galle District. Agalawatta, Palindanuwara & Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district. Ruwanwella & Dehiowita in Kegalle district. Narammala in Kurunegala district. Ayagama, Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda & Kalawana in Ratnapura district.

NBRO also instructed that people living in landslide susceptible areas should be extra vigilant and should be ready to move quickly to safe places of heavy rains continued.  The early landslide warning is valid today until 2030 hrs.