Adverse weather kills 15, displace over 7,000: DMC

          

At least 15 persons have died and over 7,000 people have been affected due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in many parts of the country, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

It said nine deaths were caused by drowning, while four others due to earth slips. Two others have died from lightning strikes. Another was reported missing and five others were injured, the DMC said.

Three persons were killed this morning when a mound of earth collapsed on a house in the Dombemada area in Rambukkana due to torrential rains.

DMC Director-General Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe said 78 divisional secretariat divisions in 16 districts have been affected by the inclement weather.

Due to the high rainfall upper catchment areas of Malwathu Oya basin, the river water level of the Malwathu Oya is at bank-full level at downstream by now, and the Department of Meteorology has warned that there is high probability of a heavy rainfall occuring at downstream areas.

By analysing this situation, DMC predicted that there is a high probability of a flood situation in low lying areas of Malwathu Oya in Vengalacheddikulam, Madu, Mussalai and Nanaddan DS Divisions. Therefore, the public living in those areas is requested to be vigilant.

DMC Director-General further said the tri-forces have initiated relief operations. The Air Force and Navy say that relief troops are ready with aircraft and boats to deal with any possible disaster.

Meanwhile, a railway station and several railway tracks have been affected by landslides due to inclement weather, the Railway Department said.

Two sections of the railway line between Rambukkana and Kadigamuwa railway stations on the upcountry line have been affected by a landslide and a section of the railway line between Ihala Kotte and Balana railway stations has been affected by a landslide, the Railway Department said.

Due to the overflowing of the Deduru Oya, the road near the Madurankuliya sub station and the road near the Bangadeniya railway station have been completely inundated, the Railway Department further said. 

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department forecasts heavy showers above 100 mm at some places in Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Western province for tomorrow. Strong winds up to (40-50) kmph can be expected over the island.

As a low-pressure area is very likely to form over South-East Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours and expected to move over the vicinity of Northern coast of Sri Lanka, Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture the aforementioned sea area and sea areas around the island until further notice from tonight. They are further requested to be attentive to future weather forecasts.