Floods recede in some areas but risks still remain: DMC

• Landslide risks remain in some districts including Kandy, Kegalle, Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya and some parts of Colombo
• Bus services from Colombo to Kandy has been resumed according to the Sri Lanka Transport Board as of last evening

By Yohan Perera   

Floods were receding in some areas but risks still remained as the Northeast Monsoon is expected to set in later during the coming days. Risks of floods remained especially in the areas in the vicinity of reservoirs. Director Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Pradeep Kodippili said flood gates of reservoirs including Kukuleganga, Polgolla, Deduru Oya, Bowatenne, Rantambe, Ulhitiya, Rajanganaya, Kalawewa and Victoria, were opened and the people living in the vicinity were warned of risks. 

 

Flood situation was reported from some areas around Kelani River and Tanthirimale while it was receding in other areas. However, the number of deaths have arisen to 419. More than 336 persons were still missing.   

Hanwella area also faced a flood situation as of yesterday while landslide warnings still continued. Landslide risks remains in some districts including Kandy, Kegalle, Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya and some parts of Colombo according to DMC. Some blocked roads have been cleared as of last evening. Bus services from Colombo to Kandy has been resumed according to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) as of last evening.   

Some 1,466, 615 people still remained affected as per the data put out by DMC. More than 565 houses were fully damaged by the floods while 20,271 were partly damaged. Some 233,015 persons still remained in safety centres across the country. All 25 districts were affected by the cyclonic storm.   

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said the Northeast Monsoon is expected to set in by December 4 and that will bring more rains. The department requested the general public to be attentive to warnings that will be put out from time to time during the coming days.