Bad weather forces closure of 137 schools in Central Province

By Yohan Perera , Chathuranga Pradeep Samarawickrama and Ranjith Rajapaksha  

Adverse weather conditions have forced the closure of some 137 schools in the Central Province yesterday with the prevailing low pressure system moving in a slow pace while a few signs of the Southwest Monsoon began to appear spelling out more rainy weather in the coming days.   

Provincial Director of Education - Central Province, Nayomi Hettiarachchi confirmed that 137 schools in the Province were closed yesterday. The schools will be opened on Monday if the weather settles in the area, she said.

Climatologist of the Department of Meteorology, Malith Fernando told Daily Mirror that the prevailing low pressure system is moving at a slow pace, giving Sri Lanka prolonged rainy weather.

“One would see more rain in the coming days as the low pressure system is moving at a slow space. However, one or two signs of the Southwest Monsoon have appeared. It will take a few days for the monsoon to become fully active,” he said.   

The low level system is expected to bring high winds and rainy conditions in and around the country during the coming days. Naval and fishing communities were requested to be attentive to future forecasts and bulletins  issued by the Department of Meteorology.   

Flash floods were reported from Bulathsingala, Parinda Nuwawa, Ja Ela, and Minuwangoda areas with the Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu Oya rising as of last afternoon.   

Director Irrigation Disaster Management, L S. Suriyabandara told the Media that the Kelani Ganga was also rising. However, he said there is no risk of any floods yet.   

Twenty two major tanks and reservoirs had reached spill level by yesterday. They are Rajangana Nuwara Wewa and Mahawilachiya in Anurdhapura, Ambewela in Badulla, Lunugamwehera , Tisa Wewa, Weewawila,Yodha Wewa and Weheragala in Tissamaharama, Ambakola Wewa, Usgala Siyamabalnduwa in Galgamuwa, Mediyawa, , Magalla and Deduru Oya in the Kurunegala District , Nalanda, Wemedilla, Dewahawa in Dambulla, HandapanagalaAlikota Ara in Wellawaya, Ingiinmitiya and Tabowa Tanks in Puttalam and Giants Tank in Mannar .   

In addition spill gates of 19 minor reservoirs had been opened. They are Thunuvila , Angamuwa, Basawakkulama and Tisa Wewa in Anuradhapura, Bomuruella , Demodara Tank in Badulla, Hulugalla Wewa, Mahasiyambalangamuwa, Mahananneriya Wewa in Kurunegala, Saddhathissa Wewa in Kurunegala, Yudaganawa , Malipota Tank in Moneragala, Detagamuwa, Dambewewa and Alugalge Tank in Wellawaya, Karawita –Mahawilaththawa in Puttalam and Maruthamadu and Muhanthankulam in Vavuniya were opened according to Director Department of Irrigation, H. M. P. S. D. Herath.   

Nearly 3,623 persons belonging to 1,181 families in Ratnapura, Galle, Hambantota, Badulla, Batticaloa, Kalutara, Colombo, Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Jaffna were affected by the adverse weather conditions according to the Disaster Management Centre. Some 112 houses have been damaged in these districts. Two deaths were reported from Jaffna and Batticaloa as a result of the adverse weather.   

The highest rainfall of 193mm was recorded from Kuliyapitiya yesterday while Avissawella received a rainfall of 175mm, Veyangoda 162mm, Kirinidwela 157mm and Kegalle 131mm.