Heavy rainfall triggers landslides, one village in Bandarawela cut off

By Yohan Perera, Saman Palitha Nanayakkara and Prasad Rukmal   

The Pitawepathana village in Bandarawela was cut off as a  result of landslide in Ambadandegama yesterday. A crack which is about  200m is seen across the road. The village is said to be cut off  according to DMC (Disaster Management Centre) officials in Badulla  District.   

The Ella -Wellawaya Road was also affected as a result of  adverse weather conditions. Layers of soil were sliding down along with  water as of last afternoon. The road was closed on Thursday evening and  was opened last morning. Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the road  was expected to be closed again at 6 pm yesterday if the need arise.   

Meanwhile, National Building Research Bureau (NBRO) issued a landslide warning for Kandy, Kalutara, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale,  Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts. People living in these districts  were asked to be vigilant.   

In another development, the Department of Meteorology told  Daily Mirror that South West monsoon rains are expected between May 22nd  and 25. “Rains exceeding 100 mm are expected to fall in torrents  especially in the Western Province and Galle and Matara Districts and in  the Sabaragamuwa Province during those days,” he said.   
Heavy winds are also forecast within the coming days  over the country and surrounding sea areas. Wind speed is expected to be  70 kmph. In another development, eight spill gates of Rajangana and two spill gates of Angamuwa in Anuradhapura were opened as the water levels  of the two tanks reached spill level.