A seaplane that was preparing to land at Gregory Lake waterdrome made a hard landing in Nuwara Eliya at around midday yesterday (7). The two pilots onboard who were involved in the crash were admitted to the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital. Police stated the aircraft met with the accident while it was en route to pick up and transport a group of tourists visiting Nuwara Eliya.
The two pilots were rescued from the lake by individuals engaged in boat rides on the lake. The crew members of the Amphibious aircraft which plunged into Gregory Lake were unharmed, authorities said. The Private air service operator said that it is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority, which is currently conducting an on-site assessment.
Mahaweli flooding
Meanwhile, vehicular movement along the Somawathiya–Sungavila Road has been suspended with effect from 8.30 a.m. yesterday, following severe flooding caused by the overflow of the Mahaweli River, according to the Pulasthipura Police. The flooding has resulted from heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the said River. Accordingly, the main access road leading to the historic Somawathiya Chaitya has been submerged to a depth of about two feet in Diggala, making the route impassable. Reports further state that on Tuesday evening (6), a group of devotees who had visited the Somawathi Rajamaha Viharaya to perform religious observances were stranded due to the sudden rise in floodwaters. In response to the situation, resident monks of the Chaitya provided assistance by using a tractor belonging to the Temple to safely transport the devotees through the flooded section of the road.
Low pressure in Bay of Bengal
Elsewhere, Naval and fishing communities have been warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas extending from Kankesanthurai (KKS) to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil until further notice.
The low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal to the South-East of Sri Lanka has intensified into a depression and is centred near latitude 4.9°N and longitude 87.4°E, about 700 kilometres (kms) South-East of Pottuvil at 11.30 a.m. yesterday, the Meteorology Department stated. The system is expected to move West-North-Westwards, towards the East coast of Sri Lanka. It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 24 hours. Accordingly, showery conditions over the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces are expected to enhance from today (8). Meanwhile, during the next few days, heavy thundershowers are expected in the sea areas across Sri Lanka. Wind speeds may increase at times up to 60–70 kms per hour, and the sea conditions are likely to become rough in these areas. Heavy showers above 100 millimetres (mm) have been predicted at some places in the Eastern and Uva Provinces and in the Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya Districts. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Northern Province and in the Anuradhapura and Kandy Districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the island after 1 p.m.
However, all necessary preparations have been made to face any possible disaster situations that may arise in the future, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director, Pradeep Kodippili.
Landslide warning
Moreover, the Level Three (Red) landslide evacuation warnings issued for three Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) in two Districts have been extended by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). According to Senior Geologist Dr. Wasantha Senadeera, signs of potential landslides have been observed in several of the affected areas. He emphasised that residents living in proximity to steep slopes, valleys, man-made embankments, and roadways located within high-risk zones should remain extremely vigilant and closely monitor landslide warnings. Dr. Senadeera further urged the public to strictly comply with all directives issued by the NBRO and to evacuate high-risk areas immediately in order to ensure their safety. In addition to the Red alerts, the NBRO has issued Level Two (Amber) attention warnings for selected DSDs in three Districts, while Level One (Yellow) vigilance warnings remain in effect for several areas across four Districts. The affected areas are categorised as follows: Level Three - Evacuation warning (Red) – the Kandy District: Udadumbara, and the Nuwara Eliya District: Nildandhahinna and Walapane; Level Two - Attention warning (Amber) – the Badulla District: Kandaketiya, the Matale District: Wilgamuwa, and the Nuwara Eliya District: Hanguranketha and Mathurata; and Level One - Vigilance warning (Yellow) - Badulla District: Badulla, Hali-Ela, Passara, Lunugala, Welimada and Meegahakivula, Kandy District: Doluwa, the Matale District: Ambanganga Korale, and the Monaragala District: Bible.