How Colombo roads and buildings were submerged (video)

With the activation of the inter-monsoon weather conditions, heavy rains lashed several areas this afternoon (06). Accordingly, high rainfall of 129 mm was reported in Colombo, 95 mm in Matugama, and 84 mm in Baduraliya.

This afternoon, Colombo city and many surrounding areas were inundated, severely disrupting the train and road transport systems. Thousands of commuters returning home from work faced great difficulties due to this. Within a short period, traffic came to a near standstill on several main roads around Kollupitiya, Galle Road, Borella, Maradana, Armour Street, Thummulla, and Town Hall, as water accumulated to a height of nearly one and a half feet.

Due to a sudden technical breakdown in the signal system located between Colombo Fort and Maradana railway stations amidst heavy rainfall, train services on all lines were severely delayed this afternoon. As many evening office trains operating on the Main Line, Coastal Line, Kelani Valley Line, and Puttalam Line could not run on schedule, railway stations were overflowing with passengers, and many trains were delayed for several hours en route. 

Of the two videos shown here, one depicts how roads were submerged, and the other shows how the ground floor of the Colombo National Hospital and the Peoples Park shopping complex were inundated.

Watch the video of Colombo roads being submerged ›

Watch the video of how the National Hospital and Peoples Park were submerged ›