Bad weathers claims 9 lives; 48,918 people affected

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili yesterday said nine lives had been lost and 48,918 people from 12,478 families had been affected due to the prevailing adverse weather.

The deaths were reported from Galle, Kegalle, Ratnapura and Kalutara.

Furthermore, 35 houses have been completely damaged and 1,668 houses partially damaged due to the bad weather, while 5,834 people have been moved to 21 safe locations. 

“Minister Duminda Dissanayake has instructed to provide Rs. 10,000 in relief money at the site to the people affected by the adverse weather. The Armed Forces and Police are also involved in providing relief during the day and night,” he added.

Kodippili said the spill gates of Rajanganaya, Deduruoya, Laxapana and Polgolla reservoirs had been opened and requested people living downstream to be vigilant. 

The Old Puttalam-Mannar Road has been temporarily closed in the Eluwamkulama area due to floods. Landslide warnings have been issued for Kalutara, Galle, Kegalle and Badulla District. 

Kodippili requested the public to take necessary measures to prevent accidents in relation to lightning strikes and called upon the public to unplug electronic equipment when there is lightning.

The prevailing weather condition is expected to worsen today due to the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal sea area, Duty Office Meteorologist Shanika Dissanayake told Daily FT.

She said that showers or thundershowers would occur at times in the Western, North-Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts. 

“Very heavy rainfall of about 150mm can be expected in some places in Western, North-Western, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Matara and Galle Districts,” she said.

Meanwhile Director of Irrigation (Hydrology) Mala Alawathugoda told Daily FT that river water levels were receding.

“The water level of Kelani River is at a normal level and Millakanda area of Kalu River is lower than flood level while Putupaula and Attanagalu Lake are at alert level at present,” she said.