Earthslip kills two: Bad weather warning

Chaminda Perera and Nadira Gunatilleke

AKURESSA: Two from the same family died and another injured in an earthslip in Gallella, in the Akuressa Divisional Secretariat division following torrential rains.

According to the Akuressa Police, the mother and daughter were buried alive under a heap of earth when the earthslip engulfed their dwelling.

The father who escaped with injuries was admitted to the Karapitiya General Hospital, Akuressa Police said.

Ratnapura and Kiriella face imminent floods with the water level of the Kalu ganga rising above 16 feet.

Several roads in Ratnapura, Elapatha, Idangoda, Iyagama and Kiriella have been inundated and transport has come to a stand still.

Walallawita, Palindanuwara, Madurawala and Millaniya in the Kalutara district have also been affected by incessant rains. More than 100 houses in the Kalutara DS area and 10 houses in the Matugama DS divisions have been inundated and authorities have commenced relief operations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology yesterday warned the public of a continuation of the prevailing bad weather conditions over the next 24 hours.

According to Duty Meteorologist of the Early Warning Centre the active southwest monsoon conditions are expected to continue over Sri Lanka.

Showers with fairly strong winds are expected at times in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and southern parts of the Northwestern province and over the sea area. Isolated fairly heavy showers are also likely. The sea around the island will continue to be fairly rough.