Weather improves

by P. Krishnaswamy

The weather conditions, according to the latest reports are improving with a marked drop in the pre-monsoonal rains that lashed several parts of the country during the past 10 days, causing heavy damage to lives, property and crops. Several main highways also remained inundated, disrupting normal day-to-day life.

“The weather has improved in most of the affected areas, other than in the South-Western parts.

However, the possibility of more rain in the next three days cannot be ruled out due to the convergence of the North-Western and South-Western winds that are now blowing across the country”, Deputy Director of Meteorology Department S.R. Jayasekera told the Sunday Observer.

More rains in the next few days could be expected, he said.

Over 606,072 people have been affected due to torrential rain and floods and 20 deaths have been reported, Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre Pratap Kodippili said. Seventy-seven camps have been set up for 15,364 displaced persons. Rs.35 million has been already disbursed for relief and other humanitarian assistance for affected families, he said.

According to Patrol Inspector Lalith Perera of the Automobile Association (AA) of Ceylon the Colombo-Kurunegala Road (Bus Route No.05) is under water at the Maskada Junction between Ekala and Kotugoda.

No vehicles, including buses are plying on this stretch of road. Kovinna on the Minuwangoda-Airport Road is under water and the Colombo-Horana Road has been closed for vehicular traffic since a damaged culvert at Rathanapitiya is now being repaired, according to the AA. Circuitous roads are being used, the sources said.

At least 10 other main highways that were inundated and impassable are now open for vehicular traffic, the AA official said.