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| Tuesday, 28 September 2004 |
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by Chamikara Weerasinghe Heavy rains yesterday sent several major roads under water in the City and outskirts. Some parts of Kalutara, Panadura, Ratnapura, Matugama and Kelaniya areas were virtually impassable, causing traffic disruptions. Authorities said most major roads were submerged more than two feet. They admitted that the situation was mainly due to the poor drainage systems in areas under local authorities. Divisional Secretary of Panadura, D.P.L. Chandrasena Perera said between 400 to 500 families in various areas of Panadura have been affected by the floods. They are provided with cooked meals by the local authorities, Perera said. Rivers in Panadura have not posed a threat of overflowing to describe the area as "flood-prone". It is the poor drainage system and reclamation of low lands that have contributed to the situation. "The roads have been submerged because of rain water not flowing into the rivers due to poor drainage," he said. Meanwhile, Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray had met local authorities at the Panadura Divisional Secretariat, to discuss helping the affected victims. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Officials from Water Board and Urban Development Authority were also present. Deputy Divisional Secretary of Kalutara, Nandani Samarawickrema also admitted that the lack of a proper drainage system in Kalutara to divert water to Kalu Ganga as the main cause for inundation of roads after the rains. "The Reclamation of low lands and extensive walls which have been built by property developers, have also contributed to the deluge," she said. Sources at Divisional Secretariats of Matugama, Kelaniya and Ratnapura also confessed that the inundation that upset major roads was caused by rains, not floods. Damage to public property and infrastructure is minimum, according to local authorities. Meteorology Department said they expected rains to ease over the coming days. |
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