42 families in Beragala displaced due to risk of landslides; heavy showers to continue

COLOMBO (News 1st) - 42 families have been evacuated from Bathgoda, Beragala in the Badulla district, due to the risk of landslides.

The Badulla District Secretary said that two houses were damaged due to a recent landslide in the area.

Some of the displaced families are seeking shelter in a nearby school, while others have left for their relatives' houses.

Vehicular movement along the Haputale - Yahalabedda road has also been hampered due to a landslide.

In the meantime, the National Building Research Organisation has extended the landslide warning issued to six districts.

A level 2 landslide warning was issued to the Haputale and Haldumulla divisional secretariats in the Badulla district, and the Thumpane divisional secretariat in the Kandy district.

A level 1 landslide warning was issued to several divisional secretariats in the Hambantota, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, and Ratnapura districts.

The Department of Irrigation said that the risk of the Attanagalu Oya and Nilwala river overflowing continues, due to the prevailing showers.

Director of Hydrology and Disaster Management S.P.C. Sugeeshwara warned that those living in low-lying areas in the vicinity must be vigilant. 

The Met Department also predicted heavy showers above 75 mm across most parts of Sri Lanka on Tuesday (07).