Monsoon rains have been hitting the island country since May. Department of Meteorology: extreme weather until Thursday the 17th. In Gampaha, Kaduwela and Kalutara, the toll is at least three dead and two injured. The Air Force (SFLAF) mobilizes for rescue operations. Dissanayake allocates relief funds.
Colombo () – Heavy rains and exceptional flooding last weekend in Sri Lanka have forced schools to close in the capital, Colombo, as well as in other regions. Yesterday morning more than 134,400 people were displaced. The current toll is three dead and two injured, recorded in Gampaha, Kaduwela and Kalutara. The latest reports show the worst damage in the Gampaha and Colombo districts, with several houses damaged and destroyed. Newly elected President Anura Dissanayake has allocated Rs 50 million to help those affected by the devastation. The Meteorological Department had reported on Sunday the forecast of up to 100 mm of rain for these days, stating that these adverse conditions could last until October 17.
According to the Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake, the disturbance has developed over Sri Lanka falling within the intertropical convergence zone and intermonsoon conditions. The island country is often affected by extreme disturbances due to its geographical position, being surrounded by the ocean and located in the equatorial belt. Adverse weather conditions in the country have continued since May, due to heavy monsoon rains. In June, 16 people died as a result of flooding and landslides. These days, those affected by the weather disaster are mainly in Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, Kilinochchi, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Hambantota, Galle, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Kurunegala and Puttalam, a total of 6,963 people belonging to 1,753 families who have been sent to safe places.
Transport and train services in Puttalam and Gampaha were disrupted due to torrential rains. In Gampaha, 80,529 people belonging to 20,067 households were affected, while in Colombo, 40,231 people belonging to 10,904 households were affected. In Gampaha, passenger transportation was also made impossible as the city’s central bus station was underwater.
The Ministry of Education stated that all provincial and zonal education officials have been instructed to take necessary measures to close schools affected by floods and other disasters caused by adverse weather conditions. The decision was made after holding discussions with the district disaster management committee. In addition, landslide risk warnings have been issued in several districts.
The Irrigation Department has issued a yellow and amber warning for residents in the low-lying areas of Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu Oya, taking into account the water level of these rivers. In fact, Engineer SPC Sugeeshwara, Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department, stated: “Minor flooding has been reported in the Nagalagam Road area of the low-water Kelani River and in the of Kalawellawa of the Kuda Ganga of the low-water Kalu Ganga, and in the Dunamale area of the Attanagalu Oya.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has mobilized aircraft and troops in anticipation of possible emergencies due to the current adverse weather conditions. SLAF Spokesperson Eranda Geeganage stated that Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has instructed the Air Force to be prepared to launch rescue and relief operations if necessary.
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