Rice belt to experience more showers

• Some areas in Matara without electricity  
• Hydro Catchment areas and rice belt also experience rain  
• Seven people killed and 23 injured 

By Yohan Perera and Chathuranaga Samarawickrama   

More areas including the rice belt comprising North Western and North Central Provinces and hydro catchment areas have begun to experience more showers with the low level atmospheric disturbance has increased its effect on Sri Lanka.   

Galle had received a rainfall of nearly 200 mm yesterday , while Kurunegala experienced 62mm, Polonnaruwa 28mm, Horowpothana 64mm, Mullaithivu 44mm. Hydro catchment areas also received increased rainfalls. Accordingly Randenigala experienced a rainfall of 50.7mm, Rantambe 26mm, Maussakelle 23mm. The Keselgamuwa Oya which flows into Maussakelle was overflowing as of last afternoon.   

The Department of Meteorology forecasted rains more than 75mm in North Central, Northern, and Kurunegala District during the coming days. 

 
The condition had already caused havoc with the authorities deciding to close all schools in Matara and Galle district today ( Monday October 9 ) and tomorrow (October 10). Some seven people have been killed while 23 have been injured due to adverse weather conditions.   

Five deaths were reported from Colombo while the other two were reported from Galle and Ampara. Around 54, 440 people belonging to 14, 352 families in 13 districts have been affected according to the Disaster Management Centre. Some areas in Matara are without electricity according to residents. Galle, Matara, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Ampara are the districts which have been affected.   An Earth mound collapse was reported in the Uva province where the Beragala Wellawaya main road was blocked. Some roads in Matara Town were also reported to be under water.   

National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued landslide warnings to nine districts including Colombo, Galle, Matara, Gampaha, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy , Kegalle and Ratnapura.