Haldummulla landslides: Motorists requested to be cautious

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The mountainous area along the road from Haldummulla to Ginigathgala in Badulla is experiencing landslides. The Disaster Management Center says this situation began four days ago. The situation worsened early this morning (May 3) when a four-acre area of land had collapsed. Owing to the situation, the road from Haldummulla to Ginigathgala was completely blocked as of this morning (May 3). The Disaster Management Centre noted that several families were evacuated from the area due to risks. The daily commute of around 600 families living in Kirimetiya, Nidangoda and Ginigathgala Grama Seva Divisions have been hampered. The Badulla - Ratnapura main road is located below this area and there is a risk of earth embankments collapsing on to that road as well. The distance between the location from the landslide to the Badulla - Ratnapura main road is around 50 metres. The Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat said if the area experiences heavy rainfall today (May 3) as well, there is a risk of earth embankments collapsing on to the main road. The Road Development Authority (RDA) said signs have been set up in the area warning of the present dangers. An official from the RDA said if the landslide risk continues, they will be compelled to suspend vehicular movement along the road.