2 June 2024 11:48 am Views - 11388
08.45 AM - Heavy rains are expected to continue in many parts of the country today and the Disaster Management Centre is ready for an emergency and major flood situation, the Daily Mirror learns.
The Meteorological Department predicts up to 150 mm of rain throughout the island today and the public have been urged to remain cautious and avoid stepping outdoors especially in the flood prone areas.
10.53 PM - The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport & Highways informs public promptly inform regional engineering offices as regional engineers are empowered for immediate action, in case of railway or highway blockages due to adverse weather
8.04 PM - The death toll from the extreme weather conditions in the country has climbed to 10 in the past 24 hours as confirmed by State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.
7.31 PM - Police have set up two dedicated lines, 0112 421 820 and 0112 421 111, for individuals to contact for urgent assistance.
6.01 PM - The Disaster Management Center reported seven fatalities due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions in the past 24 hours.
3.58 PM - The Kaduwela-Biyagama interchange on the Southern Expressway has been closed for traffic to and from Kadawatha until further notice.
3.01 PM - Train services on the Kelani Valley line have been severely disrupted following the collapse of a bridge between Waga and Kosgama.
2.58 PM - Traffic on the Colombo-Kandy main road came to a standstill following a tree collapse near Warakapola town.
2.15 PM - The Ministry of Power & Energy has announced the disconnection of power supply to several areas in Galle, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Colombo, and Kegalle districts.
01.20 PM - Army troops have been deployed in various areas to conduct rescue operations and provide relief to those affected by severe flooding in low-lying regions around the rivers, caused by adverse weather conditions across the island.
Troops have been deployed to Kiriella, Dehiowita, Moravaka, Thawalama, Thihagoda, and Neluwa areas.
Furthermore, the Army has established cooking facilities in the Malimbada and Salawa areas to provide meals for displaced individuals.
As per the instructions of the Army Commander, Security Forces Commanders have been directed to ensure that troops maintain a state of readiness to respond promptly to any emergency situations and continue rescue operations as needed.
01.10 PM - The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued early warnings for landslides in the Colombo, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Ratnapura and Kegalle districts.
01.05 PM - The Education Ministry has announced tomorrow as a school holiday due to the prevailing heavy rainy weather.
Further days of holding schools will be announced by the Education Ministry following announcements by the Meteorology Department.
01.04 PM - The Department of Irrigation announced that the water level of the Kelani River has reached flood level in the Kelanimulla area.
Accordingly, the general public residing in the area is advised to exercise caution, the department said.
A potential major flood situation has been reported as heavy rainfall has been recorded across the majority of upstream and middle reach catchment areas within the Kelani, Nilwala and Gin river basins, the Department of Irrigation said.
The department warned that there is a possibility of occurring a major flood situation in lowline areas of Kuda Ganga and Maguru Ganga valleys situated in Bulathsinhala, Madurawala and Palinda Nuwara D/S Divisions.
Areas including Dehiovita, Ruwanwella, Seethawaka, Dompe, Homagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kolonnawa, and Wattala D/S Divisions of the Kalu River are at risk of experiencing flood situations.
Additionally, there is a possibility of a flood situation occurring in low-lying areas of the Gin Ganga valley situated in Neluwa, Thawalama, Nagoda, Niyagama, Welivitiya-Divithura, Elpitiya, Akmeemana, Baddegama, and Bope-Poddala D/S Divisions.
Furthermore, low-lying areas of the Nilwala River valley situated in Pasgoda, Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Matara, and Devinuwara D/S Divisions are at risk of experiencing flood situations.
Residents in these regions are urged to remain vigilant and exercise caution, while drivers traversing through these areas are advised to be especially mindful of the conditions.
The Irrigation Department said that authorities responsible for disaster management are called upon to implement necessary precautions and preparedness measures in anticipation of potential flooding.
Meanwhile, 10 Navy flood relief teams have been deployed to the affected areas of Bulathsinhala, Puwakpitiya, Palindanuwara, Welipanna in the Kaluthara district, Thavalama in the Galle district and Akurassa and Panadugama in the Matara district providing essential relief to the impacted communities.
In addition, 116 Navy relief teams, including units from the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Special Boat Squadron, and Navy Marines, are on standby. They are prepared to be deployed immediately to assist the public in the event of flooding.