More than 10,000 individuals have been affected by the prevailing rainy weather conditions across the country.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) stated that 10,545 people belonging to 2,736 families across 57 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 12 districts have been affected.
DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili said that 182 affected individuals are currently being accommodated at four safety centers.
“Considering the districts, 10,545 people have been reported affected by the rainy conditions that began on October 23 in Ampara, Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Mannar and Trincomalee.
“There is one safety center in the Colombo District, where 27 people are being accommodated. A further 33 people are staying at two safety centers in the Ratnapura District, while 122 people are being accommodated at a safety center in the Mannar District.
Accordingly, a total of 182 people are temporarily staying at these centers.
He further stated that 215 houses had been partially damaged, while a 56-year-old person had died in a drowning incident in the Puttalam area. He added that rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters had been recorded in the Kilinochchi, Mannar, Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Kalutara districts during the preceding 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation stated that 17 major reservoirs and 13 medium-sized reservoirs under its management are currently spilling.
Director of Water Management at the Department of Irrigation, Engineer L.S. Sooriyabandara, said that minor flooding could occur in low-lying areas surrounding the Gin, Nilwala, Kalu and Kelani rivers, as well as the Attanagalu Oya and Maha Oya.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued red landslide warnings for 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions across three districts.
Accordingly, the warnings have been issued for Ratnapura, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Elapatha and Opanayaka in the Ratnapura District, Bulathsinhala and Dodangoda in the Kalutara District; and Ambagamuwa Korale and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya District.
DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili further stated that Level 1 and Level 2 landslide warning notices have been issued for several districts.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology stated that Cyclone ‘Arnab’ has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm.
Meteorologist Nadeeka Ranaweera said that heavy rainfall exceeding 75 millimeters could occur in several parts of the island today.