SL safe from cyclonic storm: Met. Dept.

By Yohan Perera, B.G.Chaturanga, Kushan Jayawardene and Prasanna Pathmasiri   

Sri Lanka will not be affected by the cyclonic storm as it is moving away from the island, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.   

Director General, Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake told the media that Sri Lanka is safe as it is not going to be affected by the cyclonic storm.   

“Many were under the impression that Sri Lanka was going to be hit by the cyclonic storm. This was never the case, as it was not moving over Sri Lanka “ Karunanayake told media.   

“The rainy weather will ease by today. However, that does not mean that there will be a dry spell across the island as there will be showers from time to time in the North, East and Central Provinces,” he added.   

However inclement weather conditions did create havoc killing 12 people and affecting 401,707 persons belonging to 120,534 families in 23 districts. Many major reservoirs and rivers started overflowing.   

The highest rainfall of 150mm was recorded from Matale while there were some showers in Jaffna and Trincomalee.   

Heavy rain experienced in the Rajarata area has resulted in the spilling over of major tanks and reservoirs. Engineers In Charge of Rajangana reservoir said 14 spill gates were opened to release excess water into the Kala Oya and Lunugala rivers. They warned the people living in the low-lying area of the two rivers to be cautious of any possible flood threat.   

Somawathiya Sacred area has gone underwater due to the Mahaweli River overflowing. The opening of spill gates in Medirigiriya and Kaudulla reservoirs has created a flood threat in Wasgamuwa National Park and the herds of wild elephants have moved to Somawathiya sacred area. Meanwhile, Rathkinda and Padaviya tanks have been spilling over creating a flood threat in the low-lying areas.  

Several families on the banks of Deduru Oya have been affected by the flood threat due to the overflow of the river.   

All six spill gates in Nachchaduwa reservoir were opened last morning to release excess water into Malwatu Oya at a speed of 1,400 cu.ft of water per second. Irrigation officers warned the people living in the low-lying areas of the river to be cautious of any possible danger of floods. Meanwhile Kiralawa bridge on Madadugama – Andiyagala road had developed cracks and caved in bringing traffic on the road to a standstill. Madatugama Police said the Road Development Authority had taken steps to close the endangered bridge for traffic.   
Meanwhile, Passara -Ella road was closed to traffic last morning due to the obstructions caused by falling trees. Police requested the drivers to use alternative routes.   

Welimda – Udapussellalawa Road was obstructed by earth slips at several locations and was closed for traffic yesterday.   

Train service in the upcountry mainline that operates between Colombo Fort and Nanu Oya was disrupted due to the obstructions caused by landslides, earth slips and rock falling.   

Another two bodies of the students who disappeared in Nidavur tragedy had been recovered by last morning. Police said four bodies had been recovered earlier and another was yet to be recovered,   
Disaster Management Centre announced that nine districts were facing the danger of landslides and earth slips.