Two killed, thousands affected due to inclement weather in Sri Lanka

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says that 58 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in 12 districts have been affected by the prevailing disaster situation.

At least two persons have died due to the inclement weather and 9,016 persons of 2,530 families are affected by heavy rains and floods.

The armed forces and the Police are doing their best 24 hours a day to find and rescue the victims.

According to the DMC, 21 houses have been completely destroyed while 251 houses have been partially damaged. In addition, 4,284 persons from 1,228 families have been temporarily housed in 44 shelters.

The Disaster Management Centre states that arrangements have been made to provide financial assistance to the victims through the National Insurance Trust Fund up to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 million for these fully and partially damaged houses.

The Disaster Management Centre and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre are working 24 hours a day to provide relief to the needy. The necessary funds have been forwarded to the District Secretaries and the Disaster Management Centre, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre and the District Secretaries of each district are in continuous operation.

Due to landslide threats, authorities have evacuated 355 members of 77 families in Pitarathmale and Kahagalle in Haputale.

Landslide notices have been issued for Laggala, Pallegama, Yatawatta, Nawala, Wilgamuwa and Rattota in Matale District, Ududumbara and Medadumbara in Kandy District, Walapane in Nuwara Eliya District, Badulla, Bandarawela, Welimada, Hali Ela, Uva Paranagama, Ella, Haldummulla, Passara and Lunugala in Badulla District, and Soranathota in Haputale District.

The second stage landslide notices have been issued for Badalkumbura, Medagama and Bibila areas in Moneragala District and Balangoda and Imbulpe areas in Ratnapura District.

The DMC requests the residents in those areas to be vigilant of signs of landslides.

According to District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama, transport on three main roads in the vicinity of Badulla have been temporarily suspended.

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department says that main reservoirs in nine districts have been spilling over.

Four sluice gates of Parakrama Samudraya, eight sluice gates of Deduru Oya reservoir, 14 sluice gates of the Rajanganaya reservoir and six sluice gates of the Lunugamvehera reservoir have been opened. Eight sluice gates of the Thabbowa reservoir and one sluice gate of the Kotmale reservoir have been opened.

There is a slight flooding in the Polonnaruwa, Gallella and Manampitiya areas. The Irrigation Department stated that the water level of the Mahaweli River has increased in the Manampitiya area. There is a flood in the Galgamuwa area in Meeoya.