8000 people affected by the heavy showers and flooding

Colombo (News1st) - According to the Police, four deaths have been reported as a result of the inclement weather currently being experienced across the country. The Met. Department predicts that heavy showers will continue to be experienced in many areas over the next few days. The Disaster Management Centre has instructed people living in low lands to remain vigilant as the water levels of the Kelani, Kalu and Gin rivers have risen. One person died in the Urapahala area in Wanduramba, Galle as a result of flash floods. Police said that he had gotten caught to a strong current when he was returning home from his workplace last evening. Another person died after drowning when the Moonamalwatte river overflowed in the Nallagoda area. The victim was identified as a 65-year-old Grecian Arumodam. Rising water levels claimed his life while sleeping at his house. The highest rainfall of 334mm, during the past 24 hours that ended at 8.30 am on Sunday (7th Oct) was reported from the Poddiwela area in the Galle District. Several areas in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Puttalam have been inundated as a result of the heavy rain. The water gauge of the Gin River in Baddagema recorded the water level at 4.10 meters.  The Baddegama- Udugama road and the Baddegama Agaliya road have been inundated. Meanwhile, more than 2000 families in the Galle District have been affected due to the inclement weather condition. The Disaster Management Unit says that due to the continuous rainfall in areas such as Neluwa, Thawalama, and Hiniduma, people residing near the Gin river should be on alert. Four persons have been injured and hospitalized due to an earth slip that took place at 4 am this morning (October 07) in the Warakagoda, Udowita area. Three houses were damaged due to landslides and one house was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, low lands such as Remuna, Maduruwala, Yala are currently underwater. Many low lands in the Oliyamulle area in Peliyagoda are underwater due to the Kelani river overflowing. This has also resulted in nearly 300 houses being inundated, while water levels are expected to rise further. Motor traffic on the Matara expressway is currently barred due to the flooding in the Pahe Kanuwa area in Kokmaduwa.The Welipanen entrance of the southern expressway is also under water. Meanwhile, our correspondent stated that water levels of the Modara river have risen, and if rainfall continues, floods could be expected. Low lands such as Mathugama, Agalawaththe, Molkawa, Aviththawa, Aluthgama, and Kudaligama are currently underwater. The Eluwankulam road that leads to the Wilpattu National Park is three feet underwater. Our correspondent says that the rain has hindered transport in the area, while severe inconveniences have been caused to those visiting the Wilpattu National Park. Landslide warnings have been issued to several divisional secretariats in the Badulla and Kalutara districts. The National Building Research Organization said that landslide alerts have been issued to Walallawita, Agalawatta, Bulathsinhala, Mathugama and surrounding areas. The NBRO further stated that landslide alerts had been issued to Badulla, Passara and Haldummulla divisional secretaries of the Badulla district. Due to the prevailing weather, military personnel have been deployed for rescue operations. Army spokesperson, Brigadier Sumith Athapathu stated that 60 troops have been deployed to the parliament area, 200 troops have been deployed to the Colombo, Galle, Kalutara and Puttalam districts, for relief operations.