Ratnapura, Balangoda flooded as water levels of Kalu River rises

Parts of Ratnapura and Balangoda were inundated today as water levels of the Kalu River continued to rise.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) said the Seevali Grounds in Ratnapura was flooded and officials had warned of a major flood situation due to heavy showers over 150 mm being experienced in the area.

Deputy Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodipili said minor flood warnings have also been issued to the Thawalama and Baddegama areas due to a rise in the water levels of the Ging Ganga.

Meanwhile, the Kelani River is rising near the Holombuwa and Norwood areas, he said.

Minor floods have been reported in the Oorawa area, while flood warnings have been issued to the Pitabeddara and Panadugama areas due to a rise in the water levels of the Nilwala River.

Kodipilli added that the water levels of the Mahaweli River is rising close to Nawalapitiya.

Furthermore, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended its landslide warning issued to the Galle, Matale, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-eliya and Kurunegala districts.

Red alerts have been issued to the Ayagama, Ratnapura, Elapatha, Kalawana and Kiriella areas in the Ratnapura District.

Pradeep Kodipilli said two deaths were reported today due to adverse weather conditions experienced across the country.

A 9 year- old child had died after an earth bank had collapsed onto her house in the Wewelwatte area in ratnapura this morning.

A 30 year-old woman, who was injured after a tree had collapsed on to a store in the Beranduwa area in Ratnapura, had also succumbed to her injuries upon admission to the hospital.

Two women, who were seriously injured after an earth bank had collapsed onto their house in the Kahangama area in Ratnapura, are receiving treatment at the Ratnapura hospital.

The Police stated that 60 persons from 17 houses in the Kuttampitiya tea estate in Pelmadulla were evacuated and placed in temporary shelters.

The individuals had been evacuated due to excessive water flowing towards their houses from a higher area in the mountain as a result of heavy showers, they added. (Colombo Gazette)