One lane of Kandy-Colombo main road via Kadugannawa to be reopened

The officials of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Kurunegala District Secretary, Disaster Management Centre, and other state authorities have decided to reopen one lane of the Kandy-Colombo main Road (via Kadugannawa) by this afternoon, Kegalle District Secretary Mahinda S Weerasuriya said.

He said only public transport will be allowed on this single lane and that heavy vehicles would strictly not be allowed, adding that if further rain occures, steps would be taken to close the road completely again.

Police Media Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa earlier said that officials were carrying out an inspection at Pahala Kadugannawa area to check whether there could be possible landslide threats.

He said that the authorities decided to close the road last night (10) as they found that rain water was flowing beneath the road as well as other signs which occur prior to a landslide.

The National Building Research Organisation yesterday (10) warned that Badulla, Colombo, Kalutra and Galle areas should be vigilant as some Divisional Secretary areas  such as Passara, Ella, Sithawaka, Padukka, Matugama, Agalawatta, Bulathsinhla, Dodangoda, Badegama and Elpitiya were at risk of landslides. Several groups of people living in Kegalle, Kandy and Kurungala have been advised to evacuate the areas.

Alternative road via Kurunegala