Low atmoshperic depression hits Sri Lanka

• Low-pressure area to turn into depression by Friday
• Flash floods in four districts 
• 1,827 people sent to eleven temporary safe locations    
• Seas from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota will be rough    
• Swell waves about 2.5 m – 3.0 m in height   
• Spill gates of several reservoirs opened 

By Yohan Perera and Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

More than 33,000 people in ten districts have been affected due to flash floods and adverse weather conditions around the country, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director Pradeep Kodippili said.  

He said people in Ratnapura, Colombo, Kegalle, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Kalutara, Puttalam and Gampaha have been affected.  Flash floods have occurred in Puttalam, Matara, Galle and Gampaha districts.  

Incidents relating to fallen trees were reported from Galle, Colombo and Matale. A tree had fallen on a vehicle that was moving along the Mapalagama - Pitigala Road. Another tree had also fallen on telephone lines in Matale.    

• The Meteorology Department forecast heavy showers exceeding 150mm in the Western, Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya districts

A total of 1,827 affected people have been sent to eleven temporary safe locations and relief programmes for them are underway, he said.   

Meanwhile, 52 people from nine families in the Thimbirigasyaya area of Colombo were affected last night due to sudden floods.   

Meanwhile the Meteorology Department forecast heavy showers exceeding 150mm in the Western, Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya districts. 100mm of rain was reported from every area of the country and Haldumulla, Haputale, Hali Ela, Badulla and Ella areas of the Badulla District had been issued with level one landslide early warning alerts.  

“The spill gates of the Rajanganaya, Angamuwa and Mahavilachchiya reservoirs in the Anuradhapura District remain open. Three spill gates of the Deduru Oya in the Kurunegala District have also been opened. Also, several spill gates of the Ulhitiya Oya and Rathkinda Oya in the Badulla District have been opened. Water levels of the Tabbowa Wewa in Puttalam and Kukule Ganga in Kalawana are rising,” Kodippili said.  

Therefore, he requested those in the low lying areas along these rivers and reservoirs to be vigilant over flood conditions.  While issuing an advisory for strong winds and rough seas, the Meteorology Department yesterday said the naval and fishing communities in the deep-sea areas in the South-eastern Arabian Sea and in the Southwestern Bay of Bengal are advised not to venture into the sea areas until further notice.  

Moreover, the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota will be rough at times with very strong gusty winds up to 70 kmph.

Additional reporting - Jude Samantha and D. G Sugathapala, Kushan Jayawardene and Indika Kumara.