Death toll rises upto 122 -- surrounding areas of Nilwala Ganga still exposed to risk -- several Southern Expressway roads closed for traffic

Death toll rises upto 122 -- surrounding areas of Nilwala Ganga still exposed to risk -- several Southern Expressway roads closed for traffic

The death toll of persons who died as a result of floods and landslides has risen upto 122 by today (28). The number missing has been estimated to be about 100. Deputy Director of Disaster Management Centre Mr. Pradeep Kodippily has reported that close upon 2 lakhs (230,571) have become victims in this connection.

The Irrigation Department on the other hand say that water levels of Nilwala Ganga still remains at 'big floods' level while Bandaththara Dam of Nilwala Ganga has reached a risky stage. As a result of

such circumstances residents in adjoining areas have been cautioned to reach safety locations. Because of the risk of banks of Nilwala Ganga giving way, residents of a number of regions in Matara were evacuated last night (27) itself from those areas. On a query posed about this condition this morning (28) officers of Disaster Management Centre of Matara said that the risk of the dam of Nilwala Ganga is still seen as a threat. Though operations have commenced to remove soil at the river-mouth where Nilwala Ganga falls into the sea, it has not turned out to be a feasible strategy as such because the water is subsiding at a very slow speed. As water is observed as leaking from various points from Baddegama Dam, people have been cautioned to exercise vigilance. Activities related to repairs of spots where leakages are observed have commenced with the support of the Sri Lankan Navy.

In the meantime obstructions have cropped up where transport activities of the Southern Expressway are concerned, the Road Development Authority announce. Because of torrential rain some access points along Southern Expressway are temporarily closed. Because of flood problems between Dodangoda and Gelanigama both lanes of the Exprssway route have been hampered where movement of traffic is concerned, police say. Traffic along the Expressway route from Pinnaduwa to Matara was suspended last night (27). A spokesman of the Expressway mentioned that roads connected to access points of Imaduwa, Kokmaduwa and Godagama have submerged under water, which is the reason for such a situation. In the meantime traffic coming from the direction of Colombo are expected to exit from Welipenna access point and could once again enter the Expressway from Gelanigama access point. The Road Development Authority say that motorists driving along Southern Expressway could on any emergency dial 1969 to secure any information necessary.

The Weather Department announces that an increase of rainy conditions could be anticipated once again. As stated in that announcement certain areas could experience heavy showers leading to a value of about 75 mm and there would be showers or thunder showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North West Provinces. As the speed of the wind is expected to go up as far as 60 - 70 kms per hour in coastal area around the island, the seas could be rough in those coastal areas.