Rains continue to create chaos

Several parts of the country were ravaged due to strong winds and heavy showers which continued throughout yesterday.  

The North, East, North Central, North- Western and Uva provinces experienced heavy showers and the Meteorology Department said the adverse weather situation prevailed due to atmospheric disturbances.

Meanwhile, all eight sluice gates of the Teldeniya Victoria reservoir was automatically opened yesterday and an officer in-charge said that a massive surge of water was being released from the sluice gates.  

The water level of the Victoria reservoir has surged significantly due heavy showers which continued in the area from Wednesaday. People in the area are visiting the reservoir to witness the opening of all eight sluice gates.

A large number of people were affected by the floods. For the third time, residents of Thimbiriwewa were trapped in the village as the Mahadivulwewa tank in Trincomalee overflowed inundating the 30 feet bridge which is the entry point to the village.

About 161 people were trapped in the village and divisional secretary K.P. Premadasa informed that a boat service was arranged to rescue the villagers. The Navy was also deployed to continue with emergency services.

In the central province, the Akurana town and several other areas were inundated due to heavy rains which lashed throughout yesterday. The Akurana town was flooded with seven feet of a water. The Kandy Jaffna A-9 road was also obstructed due to floods halting transport activities.

Kandy, Pujapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Anura Madalussa yesterday decided to close down three schools until further notice due landslide threats. The decision has been taken with the advice of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO). Alternate schools or other options would be provided to the students of these schools.

Molagoda Piyadassi Vidyalaya, Galkanda Junior School and Galhinna Jamaliya Vidayala have also been closed down in this manner.

The Meteorology Department said the adverse weather situation would prevail today as well with showers expected in the North, East, North Central North-Western and Uva provinces.

The department also said several areas including Galle and Matara districts, the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces would experience evening thundershows today adding that monsoonal winds could build up to about 60 km per hour over the country and the coastal areas. (Sarasi Paranamanna, J.A.L Jayasinghe, Amadoru Amarajeewa and Mohamed Asik)