Southwest monsoon active again

Minor floods in some areas, over 2,000 affected

• Monsoon conditions expected to last till  September this year

By Yohan Perera, Rashida Rehmanjee and Sarath Siriwardene   

Southwest monsoon which has become active once again had  brought about minor floods in Kalutara, Ratnapura and Gampaha  Districts affecting 2,872 people belonging to 778 families.  

Kalutara District was mostly affected as floods were  reported from Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala and Madurawala in Kalutara  District and in Ratnapura have been affected. 

The Waranagoda Kalawellawa Road, Elmodara Paragastota Road,  Panagoda Narthupana Junction, Bulthsinhala Molkawwa Road, Bulathsihala  Ihalawelgama Road and Badureliya Penigala Road were underwater  according to Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Vehicular movement was at a  standstill along these roads.   

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 172 houses have been  damaged in the given districts. Some 341 families have sought refuge in  the houses of their relatives.   

The Department of Irrigation said the Kalu Ganga  experienced above-average water levels with two alerts in Putupaula and  Maguru Ganga with the water level rising from 3.81m to 3.82m from 8:00 am to 9:00 am in Putupaula and falling slightly in Maguru Ganga with  the water levels at 0.82m and 0.67m above the alert level respectively. The water level of Attanagalu Oya was also rising as of last evening. In  addition, one spill gate in Kukuleganga and two from Deduru Oya were  opened.   

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO)  issued landslide warnings in Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara, Ratnapura  and Nuwara Eliya Districts.   

The Department of Meteorology said monsoon rains have  become active and will bring heavy rains exceeding 75 mm, especially in  the Western, Sabaragamuwa Province, Galle and Matara District in the  coming days. South West Monsoon conditions are expected to last till  September this year.