Deluge continues to cause widespread damage
More than 25,000 people belonging to 7,812 families are undergoing hardships due to the prevailing weather, with the most affected areas being the Uva, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Eastern, and North Western Provinces.
The onset of the northeast monsoon season has brought flooding, landslides, mudflows, and other related disruptions in mostly the northern parts of Sri Lanka.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, the duty meteorologist of the Department of Meteorology said that although the weather might improve by the end of the week, it won't be as strong as it was earlier.
Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere after 2:00 p.m, he said.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.
In light of the recent torrential downpours and natural disasters in some parts of the country, the Department of Examinations has taken measures to make sure that G.C.E. Advance Level exam candidates can reach exam centres.
Manampitiya Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya has set up a special examination center to serve students from the weather-affected educational divisions of Welikanda Aralaganwila, and Dimbulagala.
Two new examination coordination centres have been set up at
Galkiriyagama Central College and Lunugala College.
In case of any disaster, students are advised to reach the Disaster Management Center (DMC) via 117 for assistance with transport or other needs.
However, due to the heavy rainfall in Thamankaduwa, Manampitiya and Gallella divisional secretariats in Polonnaruwa, several low lying areas are inundated.
Meanwhile, the army has deployed two WMZ and boats.
To prevent any disruption to the examination due to any disaster situation, tri forces are in Anuradhapura, Badulla, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Monaragala.
The Irrigation Department has warned the residents around Walawe river to be vigilant as the water levels are rising.
The Colombo-Badulla main road was blocked in the Haldummulla area due to an earthquake, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.
Elsewhere, three people have been rescued from drowning at Kanthale reservoir.
However, several areas were inundated and earth slips occurred in many places. The Batticaloa road was completely submerged. The severe rains that fell in the area caused flooding on roads leading to the Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya and the temple itself.
Many reservoirs had reached spill levels in North Central, including Minneriya where seven sluice gates, and Kawudulla where 12 spill gates were opened, and Huurlu Wewa.
The Sri Lanka Navy has stepped up relief efforts in flood-ravaged Trincomalee and
Polonnaruwa districts, deploying teams from 31 December.
Overflowing waters of the Mahaweli River have inundated Kinniya, Mailapanchaveli, Lankapatuna, and Sungawila, in the Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa districts.
The DMC reported that Matale Ukuwela, Bandarapola, Pallepola, Kohullanwala, Laggala, Riverstain, Mahiyanganaya, and Kandy, roads were disrupted due to the earth slip. The Badulla, Passara earth slip occurred at the 6th milestone in Wewassa and roads were blocked. In the Eastern province the spill gates of the Senanayaka Samudraya were also opened.
The National Building Research Organization has issued early warnings for seven districts — Badulla, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura.
In light of the recent torrential downpours and natural disasters in some parts of the country, the Department of Examinations has taken measures to make sure that G.C.E. Advance Level exam candidates can reach exam centres