E01 Kokmaduwa- Imaduwa still closed for traffic

The Kokmaduwa and Imaduwa sector of the Southern Expressway (E01) near the 114 km post would remain closed until further notice due to landslides, the NBRO said yesterday. The segment was closed for traffic on October 2. NBRO Landslide Research and Risk Management Division Head R.M.S. Bandara said they were taking precautionary measures in the area using heavy machinery to prevent any possible landslides.

“Precaution methods such as sub-surface water removing, installing an early warning system, and development of the drainage system are being carried out at present,” he said. Meanwhile, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said precautionary methods had been taken with the NBRO and Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to minimise any risk.

“By installing an early warning system, the DMC will issue possible landslide warnings for people living downhill areas before a landslide could occur,” RDA Expressway, Operation, Maintenance and Management Division Director S. Opanayaka said.

“A process of horizontal drilling is to be conducted today to remove water underneath the hill to minimise the risk,” he said.

“Huge boulders in the hill area would be broken to smaller pieces using chemical explosion, while underground water would be also be removed, he said.

“It will take about two to three days to remove earth and rocks from the place. We need to clear an area of 30 to 40 square metres in the area,” Mr. Opanayaka said.