Authorities brace for Gal Oya flood threat, evacuate families to safety

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ampara District Secretary Chinthaka Abeywickrama yesterday directed to relocate over 100 individuals from more than 25 families in Senanayakapura and Samapura in the Ampara district to safer locations, citing the risk of Gal Oya river bunds breaching.

“The banks of the Gal Oya river in the Senanayakepura area in Ampara district have eroded and temporary repairs using sandbags are not feasible. Although the bunt has not breached yet, there is a significant risk,” he said. The District Secretary warned that if the bunt does give way, families residing in the Suduwella area within the Senanayakepura and Samapura Grama Niladhari divisions, under the Ampara Divisional Secretariat, could face severe flooding.

“To address the potential impact, we have established a temporary camp in the area to accommodate around 40 families, amounting to approximately 110 individuals,” he added.