68 per cent landmass of Badulla District prone to landslides

By Prasad Rukmal

Colombo, Dec. 30 (Daily Mirror) - A recent survey carried out by the National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has revealed that 68 per cent of the total land area of the Badulla District is vulnerable to any state of landslide.

District Geologist of the NBRO Harshani Perera said yesterday that 368 landslides had been experienced in the 15 divisions in the district during the disaster situation caused by cyclone Ditwah. She pointed out that most of them occurred in the forested areas with minimal damage to people's houses.

“However, between 50 and 60 landslides were in the surroundings of residential houses. In addition to the major landslides, several earth slips and erosion of embankments had occurred. Heavy rain caused fissures in the slopes, posing a landslide threat to a large population. The NBRO carried out an inspection of the landslide-affected areas. Fewer landslides had been reported from Haldummulla, Haputale, Ella, and Bandarawela divisions.”

“About 650 houses, including the line-room houses in the estate sector, have been extensively damaged, while individual houses were the worst affected. The NBRO is carrying on further inspections with the help of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Faculties of Geological Science in Universities, and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.” Geologist Harshani Perera said

She said she carried out an inspection of the fissures in Alagolla hill top and issued red notices warning the people of the imminent danger.