Sea surges in at Katuneriya

BY PRASAD Purnamal

THE sea surged inland for nearly 100 metres in Katuneriya, Wennappuwa, last afternoon, completely destroying three houses and partially damaging 25 more.

Around 100 families were displaced as their houses were damaged by the waves. No injuries were reported. In a scene reminiscent of the December 26 tsunami, a combination of freak weather, rough seas and heavy winds caused the sea surge that had fearful residents running to higher ground.

Police and voluntary organisations rushed to help the displaced, who are now housed in temporary shelters. Residents said they expereinecd bad weather, including heavy rain, from the morning before the sea came in.

They said the situation was worse in some places where extensive sea erosion has already taken place.

Meanwhile, the Met Department said Southwest monsoon conditions have become fairly active due to a formation of disturbances to the North of the island.

Prevailing rainy conditions are likely to continue for another 18 hours in the Southwestern parts with isolated fairly heavy rain in the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Colombo, Gampaha, Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, it said.