Five villages near Hasalaka declared no-man’s-land after massive landslides

By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, Dec. 25 (Daily Mirror) - The government has declared five villages in the Pamunupura area bordering Hasalaka town in the Kandy district as no-man’s-land zones with immediate effect following severe landslides triggered by Cyclone “Ditwah”.

Assistant Director of the Kandy District Disaster Management Committee, L.A.K. Ranaweera, said the decision was taken after large sections of land in the area collapsed to depths of nearly 40 feet, making the villages unsafe for human habitation.

The affected villages are Udattawa, Nelum Mala, Gala Naka, Mada Kele and Uda Gal Debokkawa.

He said more than 12 houses in the Udattawa village were completely buried by the landslide, and the bodies of 26 residents have been recovered so far. However, the exact number of missing persons cannot be confirmed as several bodies are believed to be trapped at depths of 30 to 40 feet beneath the debris.

Ranaweera added that excavation and recovery operations in the affected villages have been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Director General of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Engineer Dr. Asiri Karunawardena, said no resettlement would be allowed in areas identified as having a high risk of landslides. He said the government has decided to relocate residents from affected zones to safer locations following detailed assessments.

Dr. Karunawardena said a land identification programme is currently underway, supported by advanced 3D technology, to assess future landslide risks.

A 3D survey led by Senior Professor Rangika Halwathura of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, has already been conducted covering about 10 square kilometres of Yahangala Mountain and surrounding villages, including Hasalaka Ugathawa and Nelum Mala.

The study revealed signs of chemical use and drilling on Yahangala Mountain, believed to be linked to illegal treasure hunting, which may have weakened the mountain structure. It is suspected that strong shock waves caused by such activities contributed to the landslide.

Professor Halwathura said the survey, conducted at the request of the Minipe Divisional Secretary, would be crucial for future disaster prevention, and the report has already been handed over to the Divisional Secretary.