DMC issues landslide warnings for four districts

Tuesday, 22 October 2019 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rains disrupt daily lives in several parts of the country

5,660 people and 1,509 families affected by adverse weather
43 SMEs and nine critical infrastructure assets damaged
Heavy rainfall of 75 mm to continue in number of provinces and districts
Warns of winds up to 50 km/h in the northern half of island
Misty conditions expected in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North Central provinces
DMC requests public to take adequate precautions to minimise damage

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday issued landslide warnings in four districts, due to prevailing inclement weather conditions.

Considering the cumulative rainfall received and the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department, the DMC has issued landslide warnings for the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara and Badulla districts.

The latest data from the DMC showed that 5,660 people and 1,509 families had been affected by the adverse weather, where a total of five people have lost their lives, while another 10 persons have been injured.

The Government has set up five safety centres where 521 persons are being housed, including 121 families.

The DMC also said that 26 houses had been completely damaged, while 671 were partially damaged. In addition, a total of 43 small and medium enterprises (SME) were affected, while nine critical infrastructure assets had also been damaged.

The Meteorological Department said showers or thundershowers would occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northern provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts. “Fairly heavy rainfall of about 75 mm could be expected in some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces as well as in the Galle, Matara and Mannar districts. Fairly heavy rainfall of about 50 mm can be expected in some places in the Uva Province and in the Jaffna, Ampara and Batticaloa districts,” the department said.

It also said strong gusts of up to 50 km/h could occur in the northern half of the island, while misty conditions could be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North Central provinces during the morning.

The DMC requested the general public to take adequate precautions to minimise the damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightening during thundershowers.