Flood warning issued for downstream areas of Attanagalu Oya basin

Colombo, June 4 (Daily Mirror) - A flood warning was issued for the lower valley of the downstream areas of the Attanagalu Oya basin for the next 48 hours, the Irrigation Department said.

While issuing the warning, those living in low-lying areas of the Gampaha, Ja-ela, Katana, Wattala and Minuwangoda D/S divisions and motorists who use the roads adjacent to the areas are requested to be vigilant over sudden floods.

Disaster management authorities are requested to take adequate precautions in this regard.

Due to the worsening of the prevailing adverse weather, the total number of fatalities habe increased to 26 across the island while increasing the total number of affected people to 159,991, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

According to the report issued by the DMC, 13 districts have been affected, and one person was reported missing.

However, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and North-Western Provinces.

Moreover, thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island in the evening or at night.

The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Meanwhile, an evacuation warning was issued to the Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas in the Kalutara and Ratnapura districts.