Rockfall closes Colombo–Kandy road, trapping several in Ganethenna

Kandy, November 22 (Daily Mirror) - section of the Colombo–Kandy main road has been temporarily closed after a rockfall and earth movement struck a shop and a house in the Ganethenna area of Pahala Kadugannawa, leaving 10 people trapped inside.

Emergency services, including police and local residents, managed to rescue four individuals, who were admitted to Mawanella Hospital. Hospital sources confirmed that one of the admitted persons later died.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of those affected and to prevent further incidents. Rescue operations for the remaining trapped individuals are ongoing.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed that several people remain trapped inside the shop. Heavy rainfall in the area has heightened the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and earth slips, prompting the precautionary road closure.

Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes to Colombo until safety inspections and mitigation measures are completed.