Minor floods in Ratnapura

● Low-lying areas in Ratnapura town and on the banks of the Kaluganga had gone under water. Several roads in the area had been submerged

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Ratnapura and its environs have been facing a minor flood threat due to the overflow of the Kaluganga and its tributaries.

Low-lying areas in Ratnapura town and on the banks of the Kaluganga had gone under water. Several roads in the area had been submerged causing obstructions to transport.

Ratnapura District Secretary Malani Lokupothagama said Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kalawana, Kuruvita, Kahawatta, Pelmadulla, Godakawela, Opanayake , Kolonna, Elapatha, Kiriella, and Nivithigala divisions were facing the flood threat and that Ratnapura division was the worst affected.

The Divisional Sectary said 2305 people in 587 families had been displaced and at least 75 houses extensively damaged. She said about 375 families had been provided shelter by their relatives while others at the welfare centres in Batugedara Shailathalarama temple, Dharmashala Pirivena and Jumma Mosque. Meanwhile the western slopes in the central hills have been receiving heavy rain fall. Engineers In Charge of the hydropower reservoirs said the water level in Castlereagh and Maussakele reservoirs were rising fast.