Floods affect over 45,000 people

• One dead, six injured, over 300 houses damaged 
• Met Dept. forecasts 200 mm of rain for the Western, Sothern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces
• Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Gampaha and Colombo districts worst affected  
• Landslide warnings issued for Kalutara and Galle 
• Water levels of Kalu, Gin, Nilwala rivers rising, 50 boats deployed for rescues 

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday confirmed that a total of 45,091 people from 11,387 families in five districts including Colombo had been affected by floods with rains expected to continue for at least one more day. 

According to the DMC, one death was reported, with six injured. In addition, 22 houses have been completely damaged and 282 have been partially damaged. 

DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said 3,488 people from 878 families were being housed at 16 temporary shelters in five districts. Kodippili said the prevailing inclement weather had affected the Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Gampaha and Colombo districts. 

“Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island. Very heavy rainfall above 200 mm is likely in some places in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces. Heavy rainfall above 100 mm is likely in some places in the North Western, Northern, Uva and Eastern provinces,” Kodippili said. 

He noted that there might be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. The general public was requested to take adequate precautions to minimise the damage caused by lightning. 

He added that the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) had issued red level landslide warnings (evacuation messages) for the Kalutara District and the Bulathsinhala, Walallawita, Matugama and Agalawatta divisional secretariats as well as surrounding areas. In the Galle District a red level landslide warning was issued for the Elpitiya, Niyagma, Nagoda, lmaduwa and Badegama divisional secretariats as well as surrounding areas.

Kodipilli said the water levels of several rivers were also rising. He added that some points of the Kalu, Gin and Nilwala rivers had reached flood levels. 

Meanwhile, police have dispatched 50 specially trained police lifeguards and disaster relief officers to the Galle, Matara and Kalutara police divisions. The Police Naval Division has dispatched 50 boats and 35 rafts to the affected areas. 

The Police Media Division said in a statement that two emergency hotline numbers have been set up so that the public can contact the police in case of emergencies. Those affected can reach the police on 0112587229 and 01122454576.