Heavy showers to continue; several areas inundated

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several areas in the Matara District have been inundated. 

Director of the Matara District Disaster Management Centre Unit Lt. Col. K.A. Ariyawansa said several areas including Pitabeddara, Kotapola, Athuraliya, Akuressa, Malimbada, Thihagoda, and Kirinda have been inundated.

He added that residents of low-lying areas have also been informed to evacuate to safety due to the risk of floods.

The Department of Irrigation said the water levels of Nilwala and Gin Rivers are on the rise due to the prevailing heavy showers.

Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management) S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said there is a risk of flooding in low-lying areas of the Neluwa, Thawalama, Baddegama, Nagoda, and Niyagama divisional secretariats of the Gin river as well.

He said several roads have been inundated and advised the public to be cautious while traveling.

Sugeeshwara also requested the public to refrain from going to inundated areas. 

Issuing an advisory for heavy rain the Department of Meteorology said the showery condition is expected to continue further over the Southern parts of the country due to the indirect influence of the extremely
severe cyclonic storm “Mocha” in the Bay of Bengal.

The Department added that heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in the Southern
province and in the Ratnapura district.

Meanwhile, early landslide warnings have been issued to the Pitabeddara divisional secretariat of the Matara district.

Early landslide warnings were also issued to several divisional secretariats in the Galle, Hambantota, Kalutara, Matara, and Ratnapura districts.

Senior Geologist of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Dr. Wasantha Senadheera said early landslide warnings were issued to the Nagoda, Neluwa, Baddegama, Yakkalamulla, and Elpitiya divisional secretariats of the Galle district, the Walasmulla divisional secretariat of the Hambantota district, the Walallawita and Palindanuwara divisional secretariats of the Kalutara district, Athuraliya, Pagoda, Mulatiyana, Kotapola and Akuressa divisional secretariats of the Matara district and the Kiriella and Eheliyagoda divisional secretariats of the Ratnapura district.

Eight people have been injured due to various disasters caused by the prevailing heavy showers.

According to the report issued by the Disaster Management Centre, 2,275 people from 621 families across Sri Lanka have been affected by the extreme weather.

The houses have been destroyed while 252 houses have also been damaged.

The report added that 283 people of 82 families remain in two shelters at present.