Heavy rains, floods loom as low-pressure system intensifies

Colombo, Nov.26 (Daily Mirror) - A developing low-pressure system near the South Andaman Sea is set to bring torrential rains and raise flood risks across several provinces, authorities warned. With major rivers already at high levels, residents in low-lying areas are being urged to stay alert and follow official flood warnings.

A low atmospheric condition that is developing in the Southwest of Bay of Bengal is to bring in more adverse weather conditions during the coming days, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday. The Department forecasted heavy rains around 150mm in Eastern, Central, Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa districts during the coming days.

National Building Research Bureau (NBRO) issued land slide warnings in the districts of Badulla, Galle, Colombo, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts within the coming days.

Number of persons affected by adverse weather conditions have increased to 2,617 while the affected families have been arisen to 737 as of yesterday as per the data put out by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Some 67 peoples belonging to 19 families have been kept in temporary shelters as of last afternoon.

Some places including hydro catchment areas have received a heavy rainfall with Inginiyagala receiving a fall of 100mm, Randenigala 95mm, Rantambe 84mm, Kukuleganga 22mm and Samanalawewa receiving a fall of 32.5mm. In addition, rainfall of 90mm was recorded from Bibila, 87.8mm from Balangoda, 81.2 mm from Ulhitiya, 80.5mm from Opanayaka, 71.3 mm from Ambewela and 76.5mm from Hettipola,

Tanks and reservoirs in the Ampara District also have swelled owing to the heavy rain experienced in the district at present.

Konduwatuwana tank started spilling over last morning and it resulted in a minor flood threat. The paddy fields in the surrounding area and the Ampara – Inginiyagala road had gone under water.

Irrigation Engineers said Walagama tank and Weeragoda tank were overflowing while the water level in Senanayake Samudra reservoir was rising fast.

They said Ekgaloya, Pannalgama, Namaloya, Ambalanoya, and Amparawewa tanks were reaching spillover level.

Paddy cultivation in Kalmunai and Samanthure had been affected by floods.

Meanwhile, spill gates in Lunugamwehera and Veheragala reservoirs were opened last morning when the two reservoirs reached spillover level.

Tissamaharama Irrigation Engineer K.T.D.D.P Warnakulasuriya said six spill gates in Lunugamvehera were opened to release excess water at a speed of 1776cu.ft per second into Kirindioya river and six spill gates in Veheragala reservoir to release excess water at a speed of 1524 cu.ft per second into Mehikganga.

He warned the people living on the banks of Kirindioya river and Menikganga to be cautious of any possible danger when using the two rivers.

Torrential rain experienced in the Uva Province had resulted in earth slips and rock falling in several divisions in the Badulla District. District Secretary Panduka Sri Prabhath Abeywardene said it had caused obstructions to transport in the district last morning.

The District Secretary said the Colombo - Badulla main highway had been obstructed by a mound of earth and rocks last morning, but the Road Development Authority cleared the obstructions by evening.

Bandarawela - Ellathota - Punagala road, Bibila - Mahiyangana road and Haputale - Kalupahana - Udaveriya road had been obstructed by mounds of earth and rocks.

Meanwhile, HQI Badulla Police CI Chanaka Chiranjeewa Wijeratne warned the drivers yesterday to be cautious when passing the Dunhinda slope on the Badulla - Mahiyangana main highway. He said the stretch of road at Dunhinda was slippery and several fatal accidents had occurred there. He requested drivers to pass the slope on the second gear for safety.

The District Secretary said the Road Development Authority, the Police and the Ceylon Electricity Board had taken steps to clear the obstructions to traffic. He further said the inclement weather persisted throughout the day yesterday. 

Additional reports by Wasantha Chandrapala, Sarath Gamage and Prasad Rukmal.