Adverse weather affects 31,000 families

by Mohammed Naalir

Over 31,000 families numbering over 125,000 persons in 18 districts have been affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

Two hundred and twenty houses have been completely damaged and 3,962 houses partly damaged, according to spokesman of the Disaster Management Centre Lal Kumara.

Meanwhile, the Kalu, Gin, Nilwala and Kelani rivers are overflowing with low lying lands along these rivers becoming submerged. People who are living downstream of these rivers have been instructed to be vigilant of possible rises in water level, he said.Certain areas of the Aluthgama-Mathugama Road, which connect the Galle Road and the Southern Expressway at Welipanna, have gone under water.

The exit road at Welipanna has been closed temporarily, according to Deputy Highways Minister Nirmala Kothalawala.

The temporary closure of this exit point won't affect transport though the Southern Expressway, he said.

Vehicles to Aluthgama and Mathugama can use the Dodangoda exit road, he said.Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department has predicted that the adverse weather condition will continue and that the Sabaragamuwa, South and Central Provinces will experience showers from time to time.

Due to landslides, 102 families numbering 479 persons have been affected in the Kandy district.

Four houses in the Harispattuwa Divisional Secretariat Division are completely damaged while 85 houses in seven other Divisional Secretariat Divisions are partly damaged, Kumara said.