Rockfall in Lower Kadugannawa; Rock Clearance and Restoration Underway

COLOMBO (News 1st); The removal of rocks at the Lower Kadugannawa area, where a tragic incident occurred yesterday morning when a rock fell on a house and a shop, is being carried out today.

Gamini Jayatissa, Director of the Landslide Research and Study Division of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), says that another unstable rock mass remains at the location.

The incident occurred when rocks and earth collapsed onto a multi-storey house with a shop.

Gamini Jayatissa said that arrangements have been made to detonate the rock that fell onto the location.

Due to the current situation at the site, the Colombo - Kandy road will remain closed at the Lower Kadugannawa area.

The Police said that alternative routes have been introduced for vehicles traveling in the area.

Accordingly, vehicles heading from Colombo can travel to Kandy via Kurunegala and Karandupona.

Additionally, more alternative routes have been introduced:

From Colombo to Kandy via Mawanella, Hemmathagama, and Gampola, as well as from Colombo to Kandy via Mawanella, Ganethenna Junction, Kovil Kanda, and Pilimatalawa.

Work to restore the site to its normal state is currently being carried out with the assistance of the Army.

A special bus service is scheduled to operate through the Mawanella and Kadugannawa depots for students appearing for the GCE Advanced Level examination.

Six people succumbed to their injuries due to the rockfall.

The rescue operations for the trapped individuals were carried out through the intervention of the Army, Police, Fire Control Unit of the Kandy Municipal Council, Disaster Management Centre, and local residents.

The rescue operations concluded last night after all individuals buried under the earth and rocks were recovered.