More than 80,000 affected by inclement weather

More than 80,000 persons have been affected due to the inclement weather across four provinces in the country since last Sunday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

According to the DMC, the highest number of affected residents were from the Western Province with figures standing at 54,965.

Residents had been affected due to flooding, landslides, and heavy winds, in the Southern, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces as well.

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Deparment has issued minor flood warnings to the Millakanda, Baddegama, and Panadugama areas due to rising water levels in the Kalu, Gin and Nilwala rivers respectively.

Landslide evacuation warnings have been issued to certain areas in the Kalutara and Galle districts.

The Meteorological Department predicted that showers exceeding 100 mm could be experienced today (Sept 25) in some areas across the Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa districts.

During the last 24 hours, the highest rainfall had been recorded in the Hiyare area in Galle with rains measuring 106 mm.

The Labugama and Ratmalana areas in Colombo, and the Ethkandura and Wanduramba areas in Galle had also received heavy falls of more than 100 mm.

However, the Meteorology Department said that showers are "expected to reduce some extent from tomorrow".

(Pictures capture scenes in Matara by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)