60 houses destroyed, some people critically injured

At least sixty houses have been destroyed and 220 people displaced due to an earthslip in Kabaragala Estate in Punagala in Bandarawela on Sunday night (19), the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. 

DMC Badulla District Assistant Director E.M.L. Udayakumara said Punagala Divisional Hospital and a business establishment were among the buildings affected.

Several individuals had been critically injured and admitted to Koslanda Hospital, he said.

Bandarawela and Liyangahawela police and the army from Diyathalawa had evacuated the victims from the mounds of earth and provided them urgent relief with the help of the relief officers and the residents of the area.

He said a heavy influx of water flowing through the estate had resulted in the earth slipping at about 9 p.m.

Haldumulla Divisional Secretary said the displaced were provided temporary shelter in Punagala Tamil Maha Vidyalaya. (Prasad Rukmal and Saman Palitha Nanayakkara)