Minor flood in Galle, Landslide warning issued for other areas

COLOMBO (News 1st) - With heavy rainfall being reported in many areas since last night, there is a potential risk of flooding and landslides. The residents of the Galle and Matara Districts have been severely affected by the incessant rains. Saman Kaluarachchi, the regional correspondent from Galle noted that a number of roads in the Galle town and surrounding areas have been inundated owing to the heavy rains that were experienced in the Galle district during the past few days. Heavy rains continued throught the day in the Galle District. Lalith Padmasiri, from Weligama, reported that areas surrounding Weligama, are inundated and people in the area have been severely affected by the heavy rainfall in the area that continued since last night. Lushantha Rathnayake from Welimada noted that area is experiencing heavy rains and it had continued from last night affecting the daily lives of the people in the area. Extreme weather carries potential hazardous threats along with it and one such incident was reported from Weligama. An 80-foot hill close to the Zahira Maha Vidiyala Welipitiya in Weligama continues to give away as a result of the torrential downpours. It is also reported that several rocks had fallen in close proximity to several school buildings. As it was threatening to the lives of the students, immediate steps were taken to direct them safely to their homes. Meanwhile, Governor Hemal Gunasekera issuing a communique stated that schools in the Galle and Matara Districts will be closed tomorrow and the day after (September 24th and 25th). As of this afternoon, a number of roads in the Galle district including the Galle-Wakwella, Galle-Baddegama, and Galle-Mapalagama roads were submerged. The Baddegama-Vaduramba, Baddegama-Nagoda and the Baddegama-Galle routes were all submerged. The Akuressa-Athuraliya, Akuressa-Kamburupitiya and Akuressa-Panadugama routes were submerged owing to the overflowing of the Nilwala river in the Matara district. Our reporters stated that Kathuduwa in Northern Malimbada and the lowlands belonging to the Athuraliya Pradeshiya Sabha were also submerged. Around 6000 Acres of paddy land belonging to the area had been submerged in these areas. Meanwhile, The Kokmaduwa-Imaduwa and Jamburugoda-Imaduwa roads have been submerged owing to the overflowing of the Polathumodara river in Weligama. While a number of areas in the town of Mirissa have also gone underwater, around 1000 acres of paddy land in the Borala area have been lost to floodwaters. News 1st reports indicate that a part of the Batawala Hill in Weligama had also given way. The widening of the estuary of the Nilwala Ganga was done earlier today (September 23). With the heavy rain prevalent since last afternoon, the Badulla-Nuwara Eliya Main road has been damaged at multiple areas. The Disaster Management Centre informed the public to take necessary precautions in travelling on this road. The Disaster Management Centre held a press conference earlier today to inform the public of the flood and weather situation in the country.