8 AM Report: Colombo's Submerged Regions Today (30th)

 Due to the torrential rains caused by the Ditwa cyclone and the unexpected rise in the water level of the Kelani River, the main bus stand, shops, and several surrounding villages in Hanwella town are currently completely submerged.

Due to the rapid rise in the Kelani River's water level, several villages belonging to the Seethawaka and Homagama Divisional Secretariat divisions have been inundated, and a large number of affected families have already been directed to safe shelters.

The provision of necessary cooked meals to the people residing in these displacement camps is being systematically carried out through the respective Grama Niladhari officers, under the supervision of the Divisional Secretaries.

Due to the flood situation, areas such as Wanagoda, Hanwella, Artigala, Kaduwela, and Ambatale are submerged, and as a result, traffic on the Colombo - Avissawella Old Road has been temporarily suspended from the Wanagoda area.

As of this morning (30th), no decrease in flood levels was observed in areas such as Kaluaggala, Wanagoda, Pathagama, and Artigala along the High-Level Road, and vehicular traffic on that road remains very minimal.

Fifty-one Grama Niladhari divisions in the Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat area have been affected, and a joint operation has been launched by the Police, Army, and Navy to rescue people trapped by the floods and transport them to safe locations by boat.

Hanwella Police Station has also been severely impacted by the floods, with police barracks, the traffic division, and the minor complaints division currently observed to be submerged.

While the affected population is in severe distress, Hanwella police officers are making strenuous efforts to control crowds who are arriving to view the floods and for recreation.

Through the disaster operations center established at the Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat, Divisional Secretaries, government officials, and political representatives, including Parliamentarian Chandana Sooriyarachchi, Chairman of the Seethawaka-Hanwella Coordination Committee, can be seen engaged in public relief services day and night.

Meanwhile, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting airport access roads with floods, authorities have advised passengers arriving at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport to use the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway.

To minimize congestion within the airport premises, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited further announced that visitors dropping off passengers should refrain from bringing them to the terminal, and they seek passengers' cooperation to ensure continuous flight operations amidst the challenging situation.