FEAR OF LANDSLIDES H AUNT RESIDENTS OF PAL LE PO LA

Alarge population in Pallepola area in Matale are living in constant fear of the impending danger from landslides in Rusigam Hill. They said the authorities declared it as an endangerd area issued red notices to people warning them of the danger and requested them to leave the area, but they are yet to provide them land in a safer location.

The people said for the past 25 years they had been provided temporary shelter in temples and schools when the hill was undergoing erosion signaling the danger of landslide but had returned to the endangered area in a couple of weeks. They said the Disaster Management Unit and the Divisional Secretariat informed them to leave the area but they were not provided land or housing aid.

Residents said they often experienced mounds of earth and rocks rolling down the hill during heavy rain and even at present the hill was undergoing erosion because of the heavy rains in the area. They pointed out that storm water was flowing down the hill and showed the mounds of earth that had hit several houses.

“Several houses have cracked and caved in while trees that were uprooted and rolled down with mounds of earth had fallen on the roofs of houses causing them extensive damage. It is sad that no official has yet visited the area to look into the impending danger. When it rains only the Grama Niladhari visits the area and go off again after warning us of the danger and informing us about the Divisional Secretary’s order to leave to safer locations,” a resident said.

Several houses have cracked and caved in while trees that were uprooted and rolled down with mounds of earth had fallen on the roofs of houses causing them extensive damage