Adverse weather leaves 17,000 families displaced

Many rivers in spate; warnings of floods, landslides issued

by Rathindra Kuruwita

Over 100,000 people have been displaced in 12 districts due to adverse weather and resultant disasters since 07 Oct., according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The Gampaha District is the worst affected, with 68,672 individuals from 16,707 families displaced.

According to DMC, about 118,032 people have been displaced due to floods, lightning, tree falls, landslides, and gale-force winds. As a result of the disasters, two lives have been lost, and two persons have sustained injuries. About 234 houses have suffered damage.

A drowning incident was reported at Halthota on the Anguruwatota-Raigama road, where the victim, identified as Welikdage Wasantha Kumara, 48, from Thuttiripitiya, Haltota, lost his life.

The Irrigation Department has said water levels are rising in the Attanagalu Oya, Kelani, Gin, Nilwala, and Kalu rivers. Sakura Dilthara, an irrigation engineer from the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division, said that although rainfall had subsided in many areas, the threat of flooding persisted.

“Residents, especially those living in low-lying areas, should remain vigilant, as significant rainfall could quickly elevate the water levels in rivers.”

The Irrigation Department, yesterday, announced that the flood warnings issued for low-lying areas along the Kelani River had been extended for an additional 48 hours. It urged residents in affected regions to stay alert and adhere to safety guidelines as weather conditions continued to pose risks.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued extended landslide warnings for 47 Divisional Secretariat areas across nine districts, urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines.

Train service along the Puttalam railway line has been limited to Lunuwila due to flooding on the rail tracks.

Schools in the Kaduwela, Kolonnawa and Wattala Educational Divisions in the Western Province will remain closed today, according to the Office of the Western Provincial Education Director. Directors of Education in each province have been instructed to decide whether schools should be closed in view of adverse weather.

The Meteorological Department has predicted showers or thundershowers in several provinces, along with cloudy skies in the Eastern Province. A red alert has been issued for sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

The Met Department has warned of rough sea conditions, with gusty winds reaching 60-70 km/h and wave heights potentially reaching 2.5–3.0 metres.

In view of adverse weather, K. G. Karunathilaka, Head of the National Disaster Relief Services Center (NDRSC), has instructed district officials to ensure the provision of three nutritious meals and clean drinking water to the affected persons. He has stressed the importance of systematic distribution of dry rations and the need for maintaining transparency in all relief activities.