20 August 2024 08:19 am Views - 61
Minor floods in some areas, over 2,000 affected
By Yohan Perera, Rashida Rehmanjee and Sarath Siriwardene
Southwest monsoon which has become active once again had brought about minor floods in Kalutara, Ratnapura and Gampaha Districts affecting 2,872 people belonging to 778 families.
Kalutara District was mostly affected as floods were reported from Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala and Madurawala in Kalutara District and in Ratnapura have been affected.
The Waranagoda Kalawellawa Road, Elmodara Paragastota Road, Panagoda Narthupana Junction, Bulthsinhala Molkawwa Road, Bulathsihala Ihalawelgama Road and Badureliya Penigala Road were underwater according to Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Vehicular movement was at a standstill along these roads.
Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 172 houses have been damaged in the given districts. Some 341 families have sought refuge in the houses of their relatives.
The Department of Irrigation said the Kalu Ganga experienced above-average water levels with two alerts in Putupaula and Maguru Ganga with the water level rising from 3.81m to 3.82m from 8:00 am to 9:00 am in Putupaula and falling slightly in Maguru Ganga with the water levels at 0.82m and 0.67m above the alert level respectively. The water level of Attanagalu Oya was also rising as of last evening. In addition, one spill gate in Kukuleganga and two from Deduru Oya were opened.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued landslide warnings in Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya Districts.
The Department of Meteorology said monsoon rains have become active and will bring heavy rains exceeding 75 mm, especially in the Western, Sabaragamuwa Province, Galle and Matara District in the coming days. South West Monsoon conditions are expected to last till September this year.