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Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Thursday, 21 May 2020 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Asiri Fernando
The impact of cyclone ‘Amphan’ will lessen as it has made land fall near the India-Bangladesh border yesterday evening, the Meteorological Department said.
The Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) issued warnings to fisher communities and sea goers yesterday that waves as high as 2.5 m may occur with near coastal areas off from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. These areas may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves the DMC said.
Accordingly, wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph at times in the sea area extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanturai and Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota, the Meteorological Department warned.
Wind speed reaching 100-150 kmph and gusts up to 180 kmph is prevailing over Northern Bay of Bengal.
Water levels of Gin Gaga, Kalu Gaga and Nilwala rivers are receding and that of most of the areas which were inundated are rapidly receding, said DMC Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili.
“The affected people who were evacuated are being issued relief by the National Disaster Relief Services Centre with aid from Government officers under the supervision of District Secretaries,” he said, issuing an audio release to the press.
The DMC have enacted a plan to avoid health risks when evacuating communities and the current COVID-19 public health regulations will be observed, the DMC said.
The landslide warnings issued yesterday have been extended by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya due to the possibility of landslides.
“The red warnings for landslides are still valid for Ratnapura district, especially for Ayagama, Kalawana and Ratnapura town and Kiriella areas. Please be vigilant for the early signs of landslides,” Kodippili said.
Baddegama, Neluwa and Thawalama in Galle have been issued an Amber warning for landslides.
The DMC and NBRO urged the residents of the affected districts to be pay attention to the following pre landslide signs; development of cracks on the ground, deepened cracks and ground subsidence, slanting of trees, electrical posts, fences and telephone posts, cracks in the floors and walls of buildings which are built at slopes, sudden appearance of water springs, emerging muddy water, blockage or disappearance of existing springs.
“People should move immediately away from the areas where they noticed the above pre-landslide signs,” the NBRO said, pointing out that being ready to quickly vacate their homes will be essential.
According to a press release by the Meteorological Department, showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces. Fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected particularly in Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle and Matara districts. Wind speed can increase up to 40 kmph at times over the island, the press release said.
The Fisheries Ministry said 30 Sri Lankan deep sea fishing vessels, crewed by some 150 fishermen are drifting towards Indonesia after they were caught in a strong current in the seas off Sri Lanka.
The Department is in communication with the vessels and have advised the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Indonesia to assist the fishermen.
However, rough sea and landslide warnings remain in place for several areas of the island as Government moved to evacuate affected communities to safety.
Amphan, the first super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal region since 1999, is forecasted to cause serious flooding and mudslides in its wake.
The super cyclone is forecasted to move towards the major east coast city of Kolkata last night and may move further inland and in to Bangladesh today. The Indian and Bangladeshi governments have enacted evacuation plans to move large numbers of coastal residents to safe areas, away from the cyclone’s expected path.
