By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Gale force winds accompanied by torrential rains which lashed most parts of the country specially the Southern, Western and North Western Provinces over the weekend caused havoc, leaving eight persons dead and thousands of others homeless.
The Meteorology Department warned of further strong winds during next few days along with 150mm of rain in most parts of the country with the two cyclonic circulations over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
According to the latest statistics of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the eight deaths were reported from Kurunegala, Galle, Kegalle, Ratnapura and Kalutara. So far 21, 617 people from 5,675 families in twelve districts have been affected by the prevailing inclement weather. Accordingly, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Batticaloa, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Moneragala, Kalutara and Colombo were among the badly affected districts.
Over 1,896 people from 466 families have been removed to safe locations.
The Met Department Duty Meteorologist Janaka Kumara told The Morning that the prevailing showery conditions is expected to enhance over the country within next two days.
“Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, North-western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts and very heavy falls about 150 mm can be expected at some places in Western, North-western, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara districts,” he added.
National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said that the landslide warnings that had been issued for landslide prone areas in Badulla, Kalutara, Galle, and Kegalle districts on Sunday was still in effect.
Meanwhile the Irrigation Department warned that the Galle District has received heavy rainfall resulting in Gin Ganga reaching the spill level and 10 out of 19 divisional secretariats have been affected by floods. The water level may increase further if the rain continues.
The DMC requested the people living near the Gin, Kalu and Kelani rivers and Atthanagalu Oya to be alert to the rising water levels.
Pictures by Indika Handuwala