Torrential rains in Ratnapura

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Although the water level of the Kalu Ganga has dropped to 17 feet, intense torrential rains yesterday in Ratnapura could increase the water level once again, Ratnapura District Disaster Management Co-ordinator Priyanka Abeyratne told the Daily News yesterday.

Abeyratne added that no landslides were reported in the risk areas identified by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) during wet weather.

The necessary instructions on evacuation have been already communicated to the people of the areas, he said. But people of the risk area are strictly advised to be vigilant about any abnormal features in the vicinity such as ground cracks and the colour of water in the streams.

He said that a certain number of villages in the Ratnapura district has been identified by the NBRO as landslide risk areas including the villages of Elapatha, Bataka, Ratnapura, Hela Uda, Kalawana, Hapugoda, Pelmadulla Singappui Kanda, Wannige Watte, Kiribathgala and Kolonna Nedala.

Explaining the situation, Ratnapura Irrigation Engineer S. Gunawardena said about 145 mm of rainfall was reported from the Ratnapura city and the outlying areas.

He also said that low lying areas of Ayagama, Kiriella, Heraniyawaka and Galathura could be subjected floods due to the overflowing of Kalu Ganga due to torrential rains.

An officer attached to the Department of Meteorology said that South West monsoon which is active currently, was affecting the Sabaragamuwa more than the Western Province at the moment and could result in thunder showers in other areas.