Torrential rains cause havoc in many areas

• Around 7,649 people belonging to 1,766 families in five districts were reported affected by the inclement weather conditions
• More than 6000 individuals in 1666 families in the Ratnapura district had been displaced

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

At least three people died and three were injured as heavy showers due to the active Southwest Monsoon in the western and southern sea areas and in the southwest quarter of the island, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.   

Heavy rainfall of more than 100 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts, and several spells of showers may occur in the Northern and North-Central Provinces, according to the Meteorological Department.  

According to the DMC, three people were reported to have died due to cutting failures and floods in Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya District.  

Around 7,649 people belonging to 1,766 families in five districts were reported affected by the inclement weather conditions, while 16 people were evacuated to safer locations.  

The DMC reported that 25 houses were partially damaged.   More than 6000 individuals in 1666 families in the Ratnapura district had been displaced and about 174 houses damaged by yesterday afternoon due to the floods, gale force winds, and erosion of river banks.  
District secretary Malani Lokupothagama said immediate action had been taken to provide facilities to the people in the affected areas.  

Meanwhile, four trains from Badulla, bound for Colombo had been halted due to the risk of earth slides on the upcountry railway.  

One of the occupants of a house in Tablo colony in the Norton Bridge area died when the house was destroyed in an earth slip during heavy rain. Another two houses at the location had been damaged by the earth slip.  
More than 3850 people in 859 families in Nawalapitiya division have been displaced due to a flood threat caused by heavy rain experienced in the area.  

Several houses and a tourist hotel in Nawalapitiya town had gone under water, and two bridges across a canal flowing to the Mahaweli river had collapsed.  

A 17-year-old girl who visited Galabodaella Falls with her lover had disappeared, and the police, with the help of the residents of the area, were searching for her.  

According to Nawalapitiya police, three people, including a woman, fell into Ketabulawa canal and vanished.  
All schools in the Nuwara Eliya District were closed yesterday on the instructions of the Central Province governor. Several schools in the low-lying areas had gone under water, causing extensive damage to the property.  
Meanwhile, heavy rain experienced in the catchments has resulted in the rise of Castlereigh and Maussakele reservoirs. Engineers in charge said the water level in the Castlereigh reservoir stood 11 ft below the spill level and that of the Maussakele reservoir 20.6 ft below. They said steps would be taken to increase power generation to the maximum in Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya, Canyon and Wimalasurendra hydropower complexes fed by the two reservoirs.  

Two out of the five spill gates in the Upper Kotmale reservoir opened yesterday to release excess water to the Kotmalaoya river. The DMC warned people to be cautious when using the river in view of any possible danger.  
Additional reporting: Palith Ariyawansa, Ranjith Rajapakse, Ajithlal Shanthaudaya

• Heavy rain experienced in the catchments has resulted in the rise of Castlereigh and Maussakele reservoirs