Three dead, 13 districts affected by rains

It has been decided to close all schools in Galle and Matara districts for two days (today, tomorrow) after a discussion with the Southern Province Governor Willie Gamage due to the prevailing bad weather conditions. 

The Southern Province Education, Land Development, Highways and Employment Ministry Secretary issued a special announcement that all schools in those districts will be closed today (9) and Tuesday (10).

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) said three persons have died due to the current disaster situation. The center also mentioned that 13 districts have been affected due to this situation. The deaths include the five persons who died on Friday after a tree fell on a bus in Kollupitiya. Also a 78-year-old man had died in Galle due to a stone falling on his house and another man had died due to lightning in Ampara. In addition another man died in Ja-ela in a motorcycle accident due to bad weather.

A special discussion on the measures to be taken regarding the disaster situation in Matara district was held yesterday (8) at the Matara District Secretariat. Government officials including the Matara District Secretary joined the discussion which was chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Defence State Minister Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon.

Explaining the disaster situation in Galle district, the District Secretary Shantha Weerasinghe said that due to the heavy rain that has fallen in Galle district since September 26 till now, about 8,000 members of families belonging to 3,500 families have been affected. Police and relief teams are engaged in those activities. A safe center is currently being maintained. It has 271 members. They need dry food and cooked food and all the relief is done by the Disaster Management Center”.

Around 200 families in the areas of Kelaniya, Wanawasala and Gorakawala have been affected due to the overflowing of the Duvawatta canal due to heavy rains. Traffic movement on the main road of Beragala-Wellawaya in Haputale has been disrupted due to the collapse of an earth mound.

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) reports that due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions, the landslide warning notices imposed for several districts will remain in effect.

Accordingly, a red landslide alert has been issued for Yakkalamulla, Elpitiya, Nagoda and Imaduwa areas of Galle district, Ingiriya, Walallawita and Matugama areas of Kalutara district and Pitabeddara, Akuressa and Hakmana areas of Matara district.

Matara district has been most affected by the heavy rains and the Irrigation Department states that there is still a risk of flooding in the lowlands around Gin, Kalu, Nilwala and Attanagalu Oya.

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