• 585 affected in K’gala, A’pura, Galle, 111 houses partially damaged, train journeys cancelled on Upcountry line post-derailment due to landslips/earthslips/earth mound collapses   
• Met. Dept. issues ‘Amber’ for heavy rainfall as reservoirs reach spill levels, denizens of low-lying areas urged extreme caution of floods, seagoing warned against   

More than 100 families in three Districts have been affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the country.

A total of 585 individuals from the Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Galle Districts have been impacted due to flash floods and strong winds, according to the latest situation report issued by the Disaster Management Centre. Around 111 houses have also been partially damaged owing to adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ weather advisory for heavy rains in several parts of the country. The Met. Department noted that a low-level atmospheric disturbance has developed over the South East of the Island. Accordingly, showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island. Heavy falls of above 100 millimetres are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North Western, Southern and Northern Provinces. Therefore, the general public has been advised to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and severe lightning during thundershowers. 

An ‘Amber’ weather advisory has been issued for strong winds and rough seas by the Department. Accordingly, the advisory issued at 2.30 p.m. yesterday (20), will be effective for the next 24 hours until 2.30 p.m. today (21). The Met. Department warned that the sea areas off the coasts extending to the Bengal deep sea areas East of the island will be rough or very rough at times with strong gusty winds up to 55-65 kilometres per hour. The Naval and fishing communities have been requested to be attentive in this regard.

Furthermore, the Irrigation Department stated that the water levels of reservoirs in many areas across the country have increased rapidly due to the heavy rainfall experienced over the past few days.

The water levels have reached flood risk limits due to the heavy rainfall received on 19 October in the Maha Oya and Deduru Oya basins. As a result, steps have been taken to issue flood warning notices to people living in low-lying areas of the relevant valleys.

Additionally, the Rajanganaya Reservoir is currently spilling at a discharge rate of 8,870 cubic feet of water per second. This has created a considerable risk of flooding in low-lying areas along the Kala Oya.

Furthermore, according to the weather forecasts, significant rainfall is expected in the coming days, and therefore, it is essential for people living in floodplains in Hanwella and downstream areas of the Kelani River basin to exercise extreme caution. If significant rainfall is received in the upstream catchment areas within the next 24 hours, downstream areas could soon be at risk of flooding.

Hence, it is essential for people living in low-lying areas of river basins such as the Kelani River, the Kalu River, the Maha Oya, the Deduru Oya, and the Kala Oya to exercise extreme caution as weather forecasts predict significant rainfall in the coming days.

Elsewhere, the Department of Railways has cancelled another seven train journeys yesterday, including the night mail train, following a train derailment along the Upcountry Main Railway Line. The derailment occurred on 19 October near the Ihalakotte Railway Station as a result of a landslide, prompting the cancellation of seven train services yesterday morning as well. The Department has also decided to cancel two additional train services due to further delays in re-railing operations. 

Accordingly, the train scheduled to depart from Colombo Fort to Nanu Oya at 12.40 p.m. and the express train departing from Kandy to Colombo Fort at 3 p.m. had been cancelled. It has been reported that the derailment was caused by a minor earth slip that occurred near the railway line on 19 October afternoon. Furthermore, the Department has taken steps to limit train operations on the Upcountry Railway Line in response to the situation.

Also, it has been reported that landslides have also occurred between Kadigamuwa and Balana, blocking the railway line and making access to the area difficult. As a result, the Department announced that several evening and night train journeys scheduled for yesterday have also been cancelled. 

The cancelled train services were as follows: 3.35 p.m. – Colombo Fort to Kandy, 4.35 p.m. – Colombo Fort to Matale, 5.15 p.m. – Colombo Fort to Kandy, 5.55 p.m. – Colombo Fort to Kandy, 8.30 p.m. – Night mail train from Colombo Fort to Badulla, 3.25 p.m. – Kandy to Colombo Fort, and 6 p.m. – Badulla to Colombo Fort. According to the Department, a total of 18 train journeys were canceled yesterday. The Department stated that the restoration of train services on the upcountry line following the 19 October derailment, caused by a mound of earth collapsing on the Intercity Express train travelling from Kandy to Colombo Fort near the Ihalakotte Railway Station, may be further delayed.