Rivers in spate:

Fresh warning by Disaster Management Centre

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Disaster Management Centre issued a fresh warning to the people living near the Kalu ganga, Gin ganga, Nilwala ganga and Kelani ganga requesting them to take extra precaution as the water level in these rivers are rising.

Disaster Management Centre Spokesman Pradeep Kodipilli said as torrential rain continues to lash many parts of the country, rising water levels in some main rivers had caused panic among the people, living in the vicinity of these rivers.

“Therefore, we request those living in the vicinity of the Kalu, Gin, Nilwala and Kelani rivers to be vigilant and take extra precaution,” he added.

He said the death toll related to the heavy rains and floods have risen to 18. Seven deaths were reported from the Gampaha District, the area worst hit by floods.

One death was reported from the Kalutara District, four from Ratnapura, one from Galle, three from Puttalam and two from Anuradhapura District.

More than 492,553 persons from 130,539 families were affected by the torrential rains that lashed several parts of the country.

Kodpilli noted that 222 houses were completely damaged while another 1,039 houses were partially damaged. Nearly 18,908 persons rendered homeless have been sheltered in 18 camps. Measures have been taken to provide shelter and meals at these camps.

“We provide them cooked meals and drinking water on a daily basis. However, we are now facing a shortage of bottled water at these camps. We request any donor or philanthropist to provide water bottled to those affected at their respective District Secretariat offices,” Kodipilli told the Daily News.

Around 50,000 bottles of water are required for the Colombo, Gampaha and Ratnapura Districts while 30,000 and 10,000 bottles of water are required for people in the Kalutara and Puttalam Districts respectively.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Meteorology Department S.R. Jayasekara said the Sabaragamuwa Province will experience more rain during the next 48 hours. Heavy showers could be expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces as well as Galle and Matara Districts.

However, he said as Cyclone Laila is weakening there will be an improvement in the prevailing weather conditions. “The winds will also calm down with the abatement of the cyclone,” he added.