By Sarah Hannan

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) states that 10,359 people belonging to 2,716 families in 11 districts have been affected by adverse weather-related disasters since 4 August due to the activation of the southwest monsoon. Disasters have been reported from the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Puttalam Districts. The highest number of victims is in the Ratnapura District where 5,274 persons belonging to 1,396 families were affected. The Colombo District had 2,600 persons belonging to 662 families affected by adverse weather-related incidents. Fourteen people were injured due to heavy rain, winds, and tree falls. Thirty-four houses were completely damaged while 2,577 houses were partially damaged. Eighteen commercial properties had been partially damaged while four critical infrastructures sustained damage as well. Three sluice gates of the Kotmale Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir were opened due to heavy rains, according to Engineer in Charge of the reservoir R.M.S. Wathsala, who noted: “The sluice gates of the reservoir were opened after two years. As the sluice gates of the reservoir were opened, the road was closed on Monday (10) as the riverside footbridge was submerged.” Two sluice gates of the Upper Kotmale Reservoir opened automatically due to heavy rains that prevailed from Sunday (9) morning through Monday (10) morning, causing the water levels in St. Clair and Devon Falls to increase.