Disaster situation all over island ... because of incessant rain

Disaster situation all over island ... because of incessant rain

As a result of the incessant rains throughout the day in a number of areas all over the island, a risky situation of floods and landslides have arisen.

Because of torrential rain the level of Kelani Ganga has arisen. The Disaster Management Centre has cautioned issuing instructions to those living close to Kelani Ganga and associated low-lying areas, to be vigilant. The National Building Research

Organisation say that a risky situation of landslides has emerged in Pelmadulla Provincial Secretariat Division and its environs. The announcement released by them says that this situation is valid from 9 in the morning for a period of 24 hours.

A part of the roof of Bambalapitiya railway bridge has collapsed. This passenger bridge has been erected across the road close to the sea and a vehicle moving along that route has been damaged in the process, it is reported. Because of torrential rain covering the Central Hills, a part of Nawalapitiya town has been covered by water. As a consequence of that situation movement of traffic too has been hampered. Under these circumstances a part of Nawalapitiya - Kandy main road opposite the post office in Nawalapitiya town has come under water in this manner. People in the area remark that as the drains which permit rain water to flow has not been properly maintained the rain water has therefore accumulated on the main road as such.

The Disaster Management Unit states that the highest rainfall has been recorded in Neluwa Provincial Secretariat Division in Galle District. With a rainfall of 155.5 mm. the probability of landslides and related issues are on the high in Neluwa area and the Building Research Organisation has issued warnings to be vigilant. Assistant Director of Galle District Disaster Management, Colonel Mr. Dampath Ratnayaka has said that Galle District is experiencing rain from time to time. The Disaster Management Unit has cautioned public living in areas below Ging Ganga to be on the lookout.

As a result of heavy rain, since two spillway gates of Kukule Reservoir has been opened, the Disaster Management Centre has mentioned that those in lower streams of water should be alert. Because the spillway gates are opened, people resident in low-lying areas such as Agalawatta, Ingiriya, Badureliya, Horana and Madurawala have to exercise caution. As 77 square meters of water flowing per second is being released through this process, low-lying areas such as Molkawa, Paragoda and Bulathsinghala in close proximity to Kuda Ganga have already come under water, the Derana correspondent reports. Further, with Maguru Ganga overflowing, the Midalana Road along Agalawatta - Kalawana route has been covered with about 1.5 feet, it is reported. As a consequence, transport activities too have been hindered.

The Kalutara District officer Mr. Harsha Ekanayaka of National Building Research Organisation states that Midalana of Badureliya - Kalawana Road as well as Pelawatta - Kosketiya Road of Walallawita have been covered by about two feet of water. Walallawita Disaster Management officer Mr. Chamara Jayasingha mentions that a location which experienced a landslide before this in Walallawita Nawalakanda area has once again started to display signs of yet another similar phenomenon. With the onset of heavy rains covering the Western slopes of the central hills, the Sri Lanka Electricity Board say that Maousakelle and Castlereigh Reservoir regions have experienced a rainfall of 70 and 80 mm. today (14) within the 24 hours ending this morning at 6 o'clock.