Over 22,000 affected by torrential rains

Tuesday, 22 May 2018 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Over 22,000 people have been affected by floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains prompting the President and Prime Minister to instruct the stepping up of disaster relief efforts while the Megapolis Ministry ordered removal of illegal construction alongside canals yesterday.

According to the latest update released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), fourteen districts have been affected, with the Ratnapura, Kalutara, Puttalam and Kurunegala being hit the worst by the adverse weather conditions prevailing over Sri Lanka.

A total of 22,707 people including 5,885 families have been affected in these areas. The number of deaths increased to six, four of whom died from lighting, one from high winds and the other as a result of landslides.

Nine houses have been completely destroyed while 643 houses have been partially damaged. Currently, 30 safety centres have been set where 1,212 people have been housed, including 302 families. The Megapolis Ministry, releasing a statement, said Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka had ordered for all illegal construction along canals to be removed to reduce the impact of floods.

“Illegal construction along the canals in Kaduwela, Kolonnawa and Biyagama will be removed under this measure,” the Ministry statement said. “Illegal construction is preventing flood waters from receding, and it is imperative that these buildings are removed to protect these areas.”

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) also disconnected the power supply to the Kuruvita, Elapatha, Eheliyagoda and Kiriella areas as a precautionary measure due to floods. DMC had also advised people living close to the Kelani river banks to evacuate to safer places. Water levels in Gin, Kalu and Attanagalu Oya were also reported to be closed due to major flood level. Mahaweli River and Ma Oya are also at spill level, according to the Irrigation Department.

The heavy rains in the onset of the Southwest Monsoon have exceeded 300mm in some areas yesterday, the Department of Meteorology said. It said the highest rainfall of 353.8mm was recorded from Anamaduwa, while rainfalls of 339mm and 302mm were reported from Andigama and Kamalsram in the Puttalam district.

Heavy rains were reported in a number of other areas as well with Matale having a rainfall of 267.5mm, Kudawa in Ratnapura district 236.6mm, Kuliyapitiya 232mm and Horagasgara in the Puttalam District having a rainfall of 232mm.

Meanwhile, Kukuleganga in Kalutara had a rainfall of 227mm, Dummalasuriya 217.4mm, and Delwala in the Ratnapura district a rainfall 203.5mm. Rains are expected to continue for the next few days.

Meanwhile, both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held separate meetings to review the disaster situation and instructed officials to do their utmost to assist weather-affected people. They had also assured that funds are readily available to deal with any situation. The tri-forces have been placed on alert to assist.

Rs. 7.5 million has been released as Emergency relief assistance, with Rs. 21.25 million remaining in the allocated funds.