Roads in Badulla District made impassable due to rock falls

By Prasad Rukmal and Saman Palitha   

Several areas in the Badulla district have been affected by earth slips, and rock falls brought on by the incessant rain experienced in the district. Traffic on several roads including main highways have come to a standstill .   
Asst. Director disaster Management Centre E.M.L.Udayakumara said Badulla – Mahiyangana, Badulla- Springvalley, and Passara-Madugasthalawa, roads had been obstructed by earth slips ad rock falling. He said traffic on the Passara – Madugasthalawa road had ground to a standstill.   
Disaster management official said Uva Paranagama, Soranathota, Ella , Passara , Badulla, and Bandarawela areas were the worst affected by inclement weather.   
He said inclement weather persisted and requested the drivers to be cautious when passing through the affected areas.  All the four spill gates in Ulhitiya- Ratkinda tank were opened last morning when the water level increased rapidly. The official requestedpeople living in the low-lying areas of the tanks to be cautious of any possible danger of a flood threat.   
Meanwhile, train service on the upcountry main line had been obstructed by an earth slip and rock fall between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations last morning. A senior official of Nawalapitiya Control Room said a gang of workers had been sent to the site to clear the obstructions. He said the train service on the Colombo- Badulla mainline would be subject to delay.