- Over 2.1 million affected; death toll climbs to 627
- Call to leave high-risk zones
The Department of Meteorology has forecast continued rain in several parts of the country as the Northeast monsoon begins to establish itself.
According to the latest update issued by the Department yesterday (07), showers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and Uva Provinces, with fairly heavy rainfall of around 75 millimetres (mm) expected in parts of the Batticaloa District. Showers or thundershowers may also develop in other regions after 1.00 p.m.
Amid ongoing rain and saturated ground conditions, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended its Level-3 (Red) landslide evacuation warning until 4.00 p.m. today (08). The alert requires residents in affected areas to evacuate.
In the Kandy District, the warning covers Pathahewaheta, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa, Doluwa, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Akurana, Minipe, Udapalatha, Hatharaliyadda, Kundasale, Panwila, Medadumbara, Udadumbara, Deltota, Pasbage Korale, Yatinuwara, and Ganga Ihala Korale and surrounding areas.
In the Kegalle District, the affected areas include Bulathkohupitiya, Mawanella, Aranayaka, Galigamuwa, Warakapola, Kegalle, Yatiyanthota, and Rambukkana and surrounding areas.
In the Kurunegala District, warnings have been issued for Rideegama, Alawwa, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, and Polgahawela and surrounding areas.
In the Matale District, the alert is in effect for Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Matale, Naula, Pallepola, and Yatawatta and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre reported that as of 12 p.m. yesterday, 611,530 families—totalling 2,179,138 people—have now been affected by floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The death toll has risen to 627, with 190 people still missing.
A total of 4,517 houses have been fully damaged and 76,066 partially damaged. The DMC said 956 safety centres are operational, housing 27,663 families amounting to 89,857 individuals.