Alawathugoda Landslide: 43 Feared Missing

 Approximately 43 individuals from 15 families have gone missing due to a severe landslide in the Rambukkeela, Mudunekade area, which falls under the Alawathugoda Police Division. Following a joint operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army, Police, and local residents in the wake of this disaster, eight bodies were recovered from the debris by yesterday (29) evening.

This massive earth mound collapsed yesterday morning following torrential rains that lashed the central hills, burying and destroying numerous houses located at the foot of the hill.

Upon reports of this tragedy, the Kandy District Secretariat, Akurana Divisional Secretariat, District Disaster Management Centre, and Alawathugoda Police immediately initiated relief efforts.

A special operation was launched, primarily led by the Sri Lanka Army, to search for those buried under the earth mound. However, due to adverse weather conditions and the onset of night, these operations had to be halted yesterday evening. Nevertheless, search operations for the missing have resumed this morning.

Government officials state that this area had been identified as a high-risk zone for landslides, and residents had been issued evacuation notices periodically. Locals sorrowfully report that approximately 15 members of a single family are missing due to this disaster, and a group of people who had sought refuge at a relative's house due to the risk at their own residence were also caught in this landslide.

Kandy District Member of Parliament, Mr. Riyas Farook, also joined the observation activities in the affected area. He stated that this unexpected calamity has trapped 43 individuals under the earth mounds. The MP further added that special operations are currently underway to find them.

Video footage from the incident site click here