Bad weather conditions cause one death, seven districts affected

Friday, 19 July 2019 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Death caused by flash floods, one missing
Evacuations carried out with water levels in Kalu Ganga River reaching flood levels
Kelani River water levels rising rapidly
Landslide warnings and flood warnings issued to seven districts

One child (11) was killed, and another went missing in flash floods in Agarapathana, as emergency evacuations were carried out in several areas affected by floods, caused by adverse weather conditions expected to continue today as well.

“The water level in Kalu Ganga is rising rapidly, and we have evacuated people in the low-lying areas.

Ratnapura and Balangoda have been issued landslide warnings, and people in those areas should be on alert,” Disaster Management Centre Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said.

House and property damages and other related issues have been already reported from the Mannar coastal belt, where the wind conditions are extremely strong, he said, adding that warnings have been issued to the fishing community to refrain from seafaring.

Members of the tri-forces have been deployed to carry out evacuations and help with rescue work, Kodippili said.

The Disaster Management Centre yesterday issued continuous landslide and flooding warnings for localities in seven districts, urging people to be vigilant of the rising water levels of the Kalu Ganga and Kelani rivers.

The Meteorological Department’s forecast expected “very heavy falls above 150 mm” in areas in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and in the Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts, while predicting “heavy falls above 100 mm” in areas in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.

“The heavy showery condition over the south-western part of the island is expected to continue over the next 12 hours,” the warning said.

The spill gates of several reservoirs including Laxapana, Upper Kotmale, and Canyon were opened yesterday, with the Disaster Management Centre issuing repeated warnings about the rising water levels of both Kelani and Kalu Ganga rivers. As water levels continued to rise, residents of downstream areas of the Kalu Ganga River, including Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kiriella, and Elapatha Divisional Secretariats, were later evacuated to safe locations by the DMC. The National Building Research Organisation yesterday issued red landslide warnings for several areas in Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts, while amber and yellow warnings were issued for Divisional Secretariats in six different districts.

According to the Meteorological Department, strong gusty winds up to 60 kmph was expected all over the island, particularly in the Western, Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces, while fairly strong gusty winds up to 50 kmph were expected elsewhere. The DMC also issued warnings for all fishermen to return to the nearest harbour, while the Navy engaged in a rescue mission to bring seven sailors who were in distress on a barge near Galle Harbour to safety.