Weather calamity: Death toll rises to 193

30 May 2017 03:03 am - 52 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The number of deaths reported in floods and landslides was increased to 193 while 94 people had gone missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

In its latest situation report, the DMC said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured. In total, 575,816 people of 149,678 families had been affected by the weather calamity.

The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts of the country on Friday and Thursday.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods

The Disaster Management Center issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani River and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

The DMC said the residents of Meethotamulla were already evacuated.

It said water levels in the Kelani River were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels and requested the public to call 011-2136136, 011-2670002 and 117 for emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said that rain and windy condition is expected to continue over the South-Western part of the country due to South-Western monsoon.

“Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places,” it said.

Video by Lanka Nanyakkara, Lal S Kumara, Susantha, Buddhi, RM

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Comments - 52

VMS Sunday, 28 May 2017 09:12 PM

This is the time we all have to unite. This is not the time for racial remarks. Our country is going thorough bad time. why not we think about the country. BBS are the ones who is responsible for this disaster. Religion is part of your life. But in the name of religion you cannot hurt other religion. God bless our country and the people.

malik Sunday, 28 May 2017 11:59 AM

It's High Time this re occurring problem is fixed for good. We have seen other nations which have used technology and urgency to fix similar problems. Why haven't we?

Sri Lankan Sunday, 28 May 2017 12:18 PM

My fellow citizens, specially the True Sri Lankan and Sheri; dont jump in to conclusion that am not a Sinhalese, I wrote the fact , what goes around comes around, am sad to my core to see and helped the flood affected people as much as I could, bottom line is, when you hurt someone, you get hurt, as simple as that, let's start to respect other human beings no matter what religion they belong to and build a united safer Sri Lanka for our future generations.

Mohamed Sunday, 28 May 2017 12:28 PM

Bingo Nick, you are absolutely correct, religion has nothing to do with this, in a situ like this, let's all the Sri Lankans get to gether and help the affected people without talking bull sh*t. bet time to prove that we are Sri Lankans and no extremism could come.

Ram Sunday, 28 May 2017 12:36 PM

Tamil Nadu has not had rain for years and water is distributed to people by bowser. I am sure they will dance in the streets if it rains ( or even floods!) As for the months this so-called astrologer has predicted rain.. hate to burst your bubble, but those are anyway MONSOON MONTHS

Mohan Sunday, 28 May 2017 04:45 PM

I don't know whether we can prevent this. We need to study the landscape and see if we can improve the draining of water. Also, we can learn from US where cyclones affect frequently.

Roger Sunday, 28 May 2017 05:37 PM

This is when we want MR. Someone can actually do something. Not travel around the world with tax payers money.

ThinkNow Sunday, 28 May 2017 05:48 PM

Landless and Homeless in the South and in the North either by floods or by lawless grabs.My compassion to all of Them.

ThinkNow Sunday, 28 May 2017 06:08 PM

The best MR can do is coconut cracking ...

asoka Sunday, 28 May 2017 06:11 PM

@Sri Lankan...have you seen the god or at least name someone who has seen...open your eyes and come down my friend...we are in 2017...do not blame a god or do not depend on a god...work for your self first...

Thomas Sunday, 28 May 2017 06:34 PM

We have sinned knowingly & Unknowingly. via DM Android App

eden hazard Sunday, 28 May 2017 07:16 PM

I wonder where BBS is... are they engaged in relief efforts?

Suresh Sunday, 28 May 2017 09:02 PM

This was not the rain pattern we experienced during our childhood 20 years back.now the pattern has been changed and gvt shall find a way to avoid the destruction and let the rain water store or flow down to the sea with less destruction.stop people building houses near water streams etc..

Sam Sunday, 28 May 2017 11:00 AM

Even thought ,this is not relevant at this time.I thought of reply people like you.You may see your Estern brothers and how many temples they've destroyed.I know how you feel if a mosque is destroyed, same applies to other religions as well not only to you.Go and visit the destruction done by your brothers.

Kumar Monday, 29 May 2017 08:05 AM

God please bring an end to this calamity Time for unity prayer and foresight My heartfelt condolences to the affected. via DM Android App

sach Monday, 29 May 2017 09:43 AM

Yes in SL people die because of racism, Tamils' overwhelming greed for other peoples homelands. And we had to face that for 30 years

sach Monday, 29 May 2017 09:47 AM

I am pretty sure MR administration would have managed the situation far better

weera Monday, 29 May 2017 10:17 AM

Now MP's and Ministers will ask for duty free Helicopters!

NJ Monday, 29 May 2017 10:55 AM

True that lets first think as a srilankan then comes the religion, lets unite through this disaster every citizen has to stand up against racism. lets not get caught to the political agendas created by few people

RAJ Monday, 29 May 2017 01:55 PM

when it happens to you its BLOOD. When you do it to others its only TOMATO SAUCE. This is the way Majority Sri Lankans think. When the floods recede its back to normal. you know what I mean. I agree with Sri Lankan

Citizen Monday, 29 May 2017 02:24 PM

Condolences to the families who lost lives. We are one nation. Unity is the only strength that can help flourish this great nation. Let's spread positivity and give people some hope. This country represents so many beautiful things, especially our hospitality and kindness. We are all born and bred with the people and culture around us. Politicians are corrupt, that's one thing we cannot deny. Yet people power is what helped keep this nation strong till this day. Spread positivity, contribute and give hope. Give this, and one day when we need hope, we would get it back. Peace Sri Lanka.

Humanity Monday, 29 May 2017 04:31 PM

First of all my prayers are always with the families who are affected due to natural disasters. Well everyone knows that many innocent tamils killed in May 2009 during the war. However, we are not expecting the same to be happen in South or other parts where Majority lives. We are not barbarians. We need only justice to the poor people who got affected such as developments, work opportunities, infrastructure developments etc.. They do not need blood of others since they know the pain of loosing family members. Just help each others without looking at the religion and language that we speak. All are humans.

ReaderD Tuesday, 30 May 2017 07:10 AM

Dear President cancel all those vehicle purchase requests and pass all those funds to help these victims.

S.P.RAMKUMAR Tuesday, 30 May 2017 08:14 AM

We cannot blame anybody because Natural disaster cannot be controlled but early warning and quick rescue operation minimize deaths. Disaster management ministry have to take responsibilities because ill - performance in coordination.

ThinkNow Tuesday, 30 May 2017 04:31 PM

Oh yes, he managed brilliantly the Tsunami funds !

fuzha Thursday, 01 June 2017 06:24 AM

Went through all the comments and some are valid, some are biased and some are totally inappropriate. In order to be able to keep the general public safe from such natural disasters would be even difficult for government of a western country. Huge rain fall in the space of a short time. As a nation we have to take this opportunity of testing time as tool to unite us all as Sri Lankans regardless of religion or cast. May this what God (who ever you pray to) or the Mother Nature wants from us. i.e. to teach us how to be united during troubled times as well as during prosperous times.

tuan Saturday, 27 May 2017 12:18 PM

expect more natural disaster , the country will never be developed as one nation , this is well knows fact as we have been seeing how racist the sinhalese community of this country are, ( not All, but most baiyyans) , extremist leader gnasara used very harsh words to the Almighty and behaved very cheaply by hurting more and more muslims faith , so on the holy month of Ramadan expect more like this

Snowy Friday, 26 May 2017 06:15 PM

Sri Lanka, when there is no rain, people suffer from the lack of water. When it rains, it is flooding. This is due to poor water resource management. The Sri Lanka kings did better . For some TV channels the is a gold mine for PR activity using the collections from the poor people. A disgrace.

Sri Lankan Friday, 26 May 2017 08:14 PM

God's curse due to racism, this will continue if there is no proper rectification, every action has an equal reaction.

RD Friday, 26 May 2017 08:23 PM

We need to provide more cars for MPs and Minsters to monitor, make remedy and provide assistance to people at a time like this. Normal cars won't help but they need super luxury cars with flood prevention option to help victims.

True Sri Lankan Saturday, 27 May 2017 09:42 AM

You are the one creating racism at a time of a national crisis. Be ashamed of yourself for spreading this type of bad messages. Because there is not one religion that was effected by this. Everyone was effected regardless of which god they pray for.

True Sri Lankan Saturday, 27 May 2017 09:47 AM

@ Sri Lankan, you are the one creating racism at a time of a national crisis. You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading this kind of bad messages. All were effected, lost families and friends not only from one religion. Everyone was effected by this regardless of which god they pray for.

Ceylonese Saturday, 27 May 2017 09:58 AM

Mahinda Rajapaksha I guess

Marie Saturday, 27 May 2017 10:04 AM

It's a pity but this is true. When will SL get over the " Dansal Mentality" and do something to stop this destruction year after year. SRS you can do better than " panda Yates"

hans perlee Saturday, 27 May 2017 10:55 AM

maybe it is time to contact some Dutch companies to control the floodings. The Dutch are masters in controling the water. But I think new cars for the Government and some lucurious projects in Colombo are more important?

hans perlee Saturday, 27 May 2017 10:57 AM

time to contact some Dutch companies to control the flood waters. This happens every year here in Sri Lanka and nobody is thinking about how to control the water? Or maybe new cars and some luxurious projects in Colombo are more important for the Government?

joshua Saturday, 27 May 2017 11:56 AM

well said !! yesterday Parliament was closed as all Ministers have rushed to the effected areas to get political mileage

AjithZ Saturday, 27 May 2017 12:14 PM

Agree that all governments should have some long term plan to minimize affects of natural disasters such as floods and drought. One issue is, whether patterns have changed in all countries worldwide. Hardly a day without some disaster in some part of the world. Finally as for our present issue, when you get rain in excess of 300mm and even more than 500mm in some areas, nothing much that anyone can do. These extra waters will flow through the easiest path it can find.

ceylon Saturday, 27 May 2017 12:12 PM

even gone through sunami still not ready to respond for less tragedy like this.this countrys name is sri lanka. via DM Android App

ANTON Friday, 26 May 2017 05:50 PM

WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE ? ONLY RAIN ???

janaka Saturday, 27 May 2017 02:41 PM

All due to unauthorised construction. When its rain water cannot flow due to drains are blocked or construction work on top of drains.

Sheri Saturday, 27 May 2017 03:06 PM

@ Sri Lanka's comment. Better get yourself another name. Your comment is inapt as everyone is affected by the floods - muslims, tamils!

Haramanis Saturday, 27 May 2017 03:18 PM

Agree with you fully we need to add suspension upgrade kits to increase ground clearance

Haramanis Saturday, 27 May 2017 03:19 PM

What about all the engineers sent for technical training in Holland - they should step up!!

JAN Saturday, 27 May 2017 05:11 PM

We cannot see any of our Government MPs offering Relief Services to our Citizens Nor their cars for Media Shows via DM Android App

rizwan Sunday, 28 May 2017 02:07 AM

you are correct. how ever just few weeks before it was different scenario. some thugs destroying muslim's business

Vivek Sunday, 28 May 2017 03:10 AM

As a human being, we cannot be happy with another persons sufferings. Our thought and prayers are with the victims of this natural disaster. This kind of natural disaster is inevitable when Sinhala people continuously does injustice to minorities Tamil and Muslims people.

channa Sunday, 28 May 2017 06:46 AM

your idiot . It is not only Sinhalese , all Sri Lnakns get affected . Gnanasara can hold on to his ground because of guys like you

Ayesha Sunday, 28 May 2017 06:55 AM

The root cause for this is the Rain. Such things happen all over the world. Especially recently natural disasters have occurred all over the world. Anyone could get caught up in them.

chan Sunday, 28 May 2017 07:09 AM

Yes, The best solution for these floods is to increase the no. of Ministers, Give Ministers more comfortable vehicles to travel and to approve more and more projects (mainily land and road development /and water resources)without any feasible studies specially in their own electorates and .

kushal kumar Sunday, 28 May 2017 08:27 AM

Very sad. India must send as much support as it can to the neighbour. This Vedic astrology writer has been alerting for long that during August-September or before in 2017, sea or countries near sea should be ready to face natural disasters like massive record rain or floods and the like. It seems India may also be ready in coming months , particularly in August-September in present year to face natural or man made disasters in sea , through sea and in coastal States like Tamil Nadu , Gujrat , Andhra Pradesh , Telangana , Mumbai- Goa, Andaman

nick Sunday, 28 May 2017 08:41 AM

this is where we all have to work together forget which religion you are or which social class you belong to...human help human the one who fight are animals via DM Android App

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Weather calamity: Death toll rises to 193

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