All seven spill gates of Ulhitiya Dam opened

All seven spill gates of the Ulhitiya Dam have been opened due to the inclement weather, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said the spill gates of the Rajanganaya, Tabbowa, Angamuwa, Ibbankatuwa, Kala Oya, and Lunugamwehera dams have been opened.

Accordingly, residents living in downstream areas of the rivers adjoining these dams have been advised to exercise caution due to a possibility of flooding.

Meanwhile, the Kiran area in Batticaloa, the Puttalam - Mannar road in Eluwankulama, Seruwawila Road in Puttalam, and the Girandurukotte - Rathkinda road have been inundated due to heavy rains, Kodippili noted.

Accordingly, drivers have been advised to use alternate routes until water levels recede.

Landslide warnings issued to the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Ratnapura districts have also been extended until tonight, the National Building Research Organisation said.

The bad weather has affected more than 15,000 persons, leaving five dead, while damaging more than 300 homes since last week.