By: Isuru Parakrama
December 01, Colombo (LNW): The ongoing severe weather spawned by a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal has left over 143,000 people displaced, with many seeking refuge in temporary shelters or with relatives, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) disclosed.
As of the latest reports, 116,209 individuals from 45,418 families are sheltering with relatives, with 27,517 people from 8,470 families being referred to 229 relief centres.
The disaster has severely impacted various regions, with widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
A total of 103 houses have been completely destroyed, while 2,635 have suffered partial damage. Overall, 479,871 people from 142,624 families across 24 districts have been affected by the extreme weather conditions, which show no sign of abating.
Heavy rainfall, triggered by the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, has caused significant flooding in several provinces, forcing the opening of sluice gates at multiple reservoirs, including Deduru Oya, Per Aru, Ulhitiya Rathkinda, Polgolla, Nachchaduwa, Rajanganaya, Kalawewa, and Weheragala.
The downpours have had a major impact on transportation networks as well. The Colombo-Batticaloa main road, which had been closed due to the overflow of the Mahaweli River, has now reopened to light traffic.
However, the railway track in the Uduwara area of Hali Ela remains obstructed by soil and rocks, delaying train services between Badulla and Ella.
The authorities have issued flood risk advisories for several river basins, including Kala Oya, Malwathu Oya, Heda Oya, Deduru Oya, Mahaweli River, and Mundeni Aru. People in these areas are urged to remain alert, as water levels continue to rise.
Sadly, the death toll from the adverse weather has now reached 17, with 20 people reported injured. In addition, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued active landslide warnings for 72 Divisional Secretariat Divisions across nine districts, including Kandy, Badulla, Kegalle, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya.
Senior Geologist Wasantha Senadheera highlighted that Stage 2 landslide warnings are in effect for 43 divisions in these districts, with warnings set to remain valid until 4:00 p.m. today, December 01.
