Congestion in Kandy city main cause for severe floods: DMC

• Kandy experienced rainfall beyond 150 mm on Sunday 
• Department of Meteorology said the low-pressure area which existed over the Island is gradually moving away from the coast of Sri Lanka

 By Yohan Perera and Shane Seneviratne  

The congestion in Kandy City had been one of the main causes of the severe floods which affected the area over the weekend, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Kandy District office said yesterday.

 Director DMC Kandy Office Deshariya Bandara told Daily Mirror that the high congestion in the city has been one of the main causes of the floods in the city.  

 “The congestion has been a cause of floods, while the adverse weather conditions has also contributed to the situation. The rainfall which Kandy District experienced was beyond 150 mm on Sunday,” he said.  
 “The main issue with the situation is the recovery of damages caused by floods. Two people have died in the district while nearly 300 houses have been damaged. Around 1,300 persons have been affected directly,” he added.  

In addition, around 50 computers and other important documents belonging to the Kandy District office have been washed away. This was revealed during a meeting held at Kandy District Secretariat.  

Asked whether the reports which said the Kandy town had gone underwater after 70 years, Mr. Bandara said he cannot confirm that fact.  

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said the low-pressure area which existed over the Island is gradually moving away from the coast of Sri Lanka. “As this system moves away from the island, it is expected that its impact on the Island’s weather will lessen,” the Department said.  

• The congestion has been a cause of floods, while the adverse weather conditions has also contributed to the situation