Severe weather claims 15 lives, affects thousands countrywide

• DMC data shows 3,727 families, totalling 11,864 individuals, affected by adverse weather
• 2,611 people relocated to 21 designated safety locations
• NBRO issues ‘Red Alert’ landslide warnings for Colombo, Kalutara and Ratnapura districts
• Education Ministry announces closure of schools countrywide today
• President directs Treasury Secretary to allocate funds for urgent assistance
• Tri-Forces and Police to reconstruct damage houses

 The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday announced that severe weather conditions have resulted in 15 deaths and 23 injuries across the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, Western, Southern, North Western, Central, North Central, Uva and Eastern provinces. 

A total of 3,727 families, comprising 11,864 individuals, have been impacted by the adverse weather.

In response, 2,611 people have been relocated to 21 designated safety locations. 

The DMC evacuated residents from flood-prone areas along the Kalu, Gin, Nilwala and Kelani Rivers to safer places.

“General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers,” the DMC noted in its general weather forecast.

Maximum rainfall 436.5 mm reported from Eheliyagoda area. The CEB said flood-affected area electricity supply was suspended as a precautionary measure.

The Meteorology Department has issued a ‘Red Alert’ for heavy rainfall, predicting showers exceeding 150 mm in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts. 

Consequently, the Education Ministry announced the closure of schools countrywide today (3).

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued a ‘Red Alert’ for landslides in Colombo, Ratnapura and Kalutara districts, insisting residents in identified areas to safer places.

Police Media Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa announced the establishment of a Special Operations Room with hotlines 0112-421820 and 0112-421111 for affected residents to seek assistance and coordinate with disaster relief groups.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday directed the Finance Ministry Secretary to promptly allocate funds to the District Secretaries to provide urgent assistance to those impacted by the adverse weather. 

He also instructed relevant officials to collaborate with the Tri-Forces and Police to reconstruct all houses completely destroyed due to adverse weather, utilising Government funds, within the next two months.

The Irrigation Department issued flood warnings for several areas due to significant rainfall in the catchment areas of major rivers. Specific flood warnings include:

Kalu Ganga – Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Elapatha, Kuruvita, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Ingiriya, Horana, Dodangoda and Millaniya DS areas.

Nilwala River – Pasgoda, Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Kamburupitiya, Thihagoda, Matara and Devinuwara DS areas.

Kelani River – Dehiowita, Ruwanwella, Seethawaka, Dompe, Homagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kolonnawa and Wattala DS areas.

Gin Ganga – Neluwa, Thawalama, Nagoda, Niyagama, Welivitiya-Divithura, Elpitiya, Akmeemana, Baddegama and Bope-Poddala DS areas.

Sri Lanka Railways reported that train services on the Kelani Valley line are limited to Waga railway station due to a bridge collapse between Waga and Kosgama, further complicating transportation amid the ongoing weather crisis.