COLOMBO (News 1st): The Meteorology Department has forecast over 100 mm of rain across several areas in Sri Lanka.

Rainfall in the past 24 hours (highest to lowest);

• Habarana – 131.5 mm
• Colombo – 114.1 mm
• Ratmalana – 94.2 mm
• Mattala – 77.1 mm.

Meanwhile, gale winds that swept across many villages in Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura caused considerable damage to around 80 houses, leaving 6 houses completely destroyed.

Uprooted trees also disrupted the supply of electricity to the area.

The flip side

The Anuradhapura Town and Polonnaruwa Town experienced heavy rain today (September 24). However, in complete contrast, the Kebithigollewa area in the Anuradhapura district is suffering from the continuous drought.

Water-ways and water sources have dried up in Kebithigollewa, destroying acres of farmlands.

“… If the dry spell continues for a few more months, the people will perish …”

“… No one came here to see how these people are surviving. We are somehow living because we can’t die …”

Over in Ampara, one man died after an earth embankment collapsed on him in Kuduwil.

The victim was digging an agrarian well when the tragedy occurred.

The highest temperatures in the past 24 hours;

• Vavuniya – 37.7 Degrees Celsius
• Polonnaruwa – 37.6 Degrees Celcius

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