Over 500 people evacuated due to landslide threat

By Shane Seneviratne 

In the wake of the earthquake in Ududumbara area off Kandy, 520 members in 128 families were evacuated from the endangered area. 

Police said the residents of Devahadiya and Bambarabedda villages were provided shelter in Hunnasgiriya weekly fair building and Jethavanarama Buddhist Temple. 

A senior official of the District Disaster Management Centre said a minor earthquake of 2.02 magnitude, affecting several villages in Ududumbara area, had occurred on Thursday evening and that steps were taken to evacuate the people living in the affected area as a precaution against any possible danger during the heavy rains. 

However, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau had stated that this minor earthquake should not be a cause for major concern.