Heavy rains cause havoc through floods

Heavy rains bringing over 150 mm of rainfall have caused a number of reservoirs in the country’s north and east to overflow, threatening low-lying areas with floods.

The sluice gates of several reservoirs, including the Iranamadu tank in the North, Nachchiduwa, Kala Wewa, Nuwara Wewa and Ampara Wewa were opened as the water levels increased. The water levels of the Senanayake Samudraya were said to be rising with the continuous rain.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, as of Sunday evening, 94,885 people from 27,844 families, most of them in the Northern Province have been affected by floods.

The authorities have evacuated 8,687 people from 2,483 families to safe locations. They have been provided with adequate food, clean water, medicine and sanitary facilities, DMC Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said.

One person has drowned in Iranamadu, Kilinochchi area while another person has been injured.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said the depression in the Bay of Bengal is now located near Trincomalee area.

Under the influence of the system showery weather and cloudy skies over the country is expected to continue. Possibility for strong winds over the country and surrounding sea areas is still high.

The department expects the prevailing wet weather to be reduced to some extent by tomorrow.

However, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the northern half and south-western parts of the country. Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm is also likely at some places. Maximum rainfall for the last 24 hours of 166.6 mm has been recorded in Achchiweli, Jaffna.