Landslides continue to ravage several areas in Badulla

Displaced families were provided shelter at the Medawatta temple and the welfare centers in the Kuruvithenna and Pinnagolla school buildings. 

By Prasad Rukmal and Nishantha Kumara   

The Bogahapathana-Morahela hill range in Badulla was subject to a landslide last morning and people living in the affected area were evacuated and settled in safer locations.   

 District Secretary Prabath Sri Abeywardene said no casualties had been reported in the incident thus far. He said the hill had undergone severe  erosion owing to the heavy rainfall being experienced at present.   

 He said Maspanna hill in Uvaparanagama had developed signs of an impending landslide and that the people in ten families living in the risk area were evacuated and settled in safer locations. The District Secretary said Maspanna town and the surrounding area had been ravaged by a massive landslide during the Ditwah cyclone and that the signs of similar situation had emerged.    He said the displaced families were provided shelter at the Medawatta temple..   

 Meanwhile six hill ranges in Rideemaliyedda Division have also developed signs of impending landslides.   

The Divisional Secretary  for Rideemaliyedda Thakshila Gunaratne said yesterday The Pandupulkanda, Kalukelekanda, Niyanthalagalakanda, Penahelakanda, Olgangalakanda and Paranagamakanda have been earmarked to be landslide prone areas and 49 families living in the area were provided shelter at the welfare center in the Kuruvithenna and Pinnagolla school buildings.   

 She said the National Building and Research Organisation will be carrying out inspections of the aforesaid areas.