Floods leave 6 dead, hundreds displaced
Adverse weather conditions had left six people dead in several areas during the last two days while several other districts have been affected by floods, the Disaster Management Centre said yesterday.
The districts affected were Anuradapura, Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura Hambantota, Galle and Matara
The districts affected were Anuradapura, Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura Hambantota, Galle and Matara while the deaths were reported from Ratnapura and Kamburupitiya.
Water levels in the Rajangane Tank began to rise steadily forcing irrigation authorities to open two sluice gates. Rajangane Tank Irrigation Engineer Aruna Konagedara told the Daily Mirror that 2000 acre feet of water was released by the two gates every second. He said more gates would have to be opened if heavy rains continued.
Some 190 families were displaced in Moneragala as a result of the Kudaoya Tank beginning to overflow last Friday. This was confirmed by Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Ravindra Kumar. He also said Debaraara, Balaharuwa, Kudaoya Kedula areas were under water in the district leaving 110 families displaced. The displaced persons have been given refuge in the Debaraara Temple.
The Navy provided boats and are assisting in the evacuation of affected persons.
Hambantota District was repor- ted to be worst affected area with more than 300 families being displaced. It was reported that 25 houses have been damaged in Suriyawewa in Hambantota District. Several villages in Tangalle were also under water. Katuwana Mindeniya Road was under water while houses in Polommatruwa, Beliatta, and Getamanna areas were under water forcing the evacuation of people. The vehicle of a newly married couple who was returning after their wedding ceremony was also washed away in Sooriyawewa and had fallen into a mud hole according to the residents in the area.
In addition the Irambara Ganga which is a branch of Nilwala Ganga
The vehicle of a newly married couple returning after their wedding ceremony was also washed away in Sooriyawewa and had fallen into a mud hole according to the residents in the area
started overflowing yesterday making Kamburupitiya Matara Road impassable.
Meanwhile heavy mist was reported in the Badulla Town during the last few days.
The Disaster Management Center said a total number of 333 families have been affected by floods while 330 houses have been partly damaged. In addition 3 houses were completely destroyed.
Highest rainfall of 141mm was recorded from Deniyaya, while 55mm was reported from Sirikandura. Batticaloa recorded a rainfall of 39mm and Ratnapura 71mm.
(Additional reports from Athula Bandara, Prasanna Pathmasiri, Ariyadasa Kodituwakku, Keerthi and Prasad Rukmal. Ajithlal Shantha Udaya and Mahinda Abeyratne)