Six Families Evacuated in Maladola Amid Rockfall Threat

Eleven individuals from six families were safely evacuated this morning (20) from the Maladola Pinnalanda area, which falls under the Badulla Haldummulla Police Division, due to an imminent risk of rockfall. Police stated that this unsafe situation arose after a large rock dislodged from the hilltop above the village and rolled downwards.

Haldummulla Police Station OIC, Chief Police Inspector Asela Indunil Rathnayake, stated that initial investigations revealed that large rock fragments, which had broken off the mountain, are currently lodged midway, and there is a severe risk of these rock blocks rolling towards the settlements if the current rainfall intensifies. Consequently, residents have been advised to evacuate their homes and temporarily stay with relatives until the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) conducts an on-site inspection.

Meanwhile, considering the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has further extended the landslide red alerts issued for several areas in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Accordingly, landslide red alerts have been issued for the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Doluwa, Ududumbara, Minipe, and Medadumbara in the Kandy District, and Maturata, Nildandahinna, Walapane, and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Furthermore, the Badulla Disaster Management Centre reports that preliminary signs of landslides have emerged in several locations between the 19th and 20th-kilometer posts on the Badulla, Galauda - Kandaketiya road, where significant cracks and subsidence are visible. Authorities also stated that the Road Development Authority has already inspected the site, and a report from the National Building Research Organisation is expected to determine the suitability or unsuitability of the road for traffic.