2788 people across 9 districts affected by the weather

Colombo (News 1st): 2788 people from 596 families across 09 districts in the country have been affected by the inclement weather. People living in 27 divisional secretariats in the Badulla, Monaragala, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, and Anuradhapura districts are affected. Puttalam District 20 spill gates of the Thabbowa Reservoir in Puttalam were opened this afternoon. The Disaster Management Center has taken steps to temporarily evacuate the people on either side of the Mee Oya while the water capacity of 11500 cubic feet per second is discharged. According to our correspondent, the 4th milepost area in Wanathawilluwa - Puttalam main road has been inundated. Polonnaruwa District The water level of the Mahaweli Ganga is gradually increasing. As a result, people in the low lying areas of the Welikanda, Seruwila, Muttur, Kinniya, Kantale, Medirigiriya, Thamankaduwa and Dimbulagala divisional secretariats were informed to be vigilant. The Dikgala road towards Somawathiya has also been inundated and the road has been temporarily closed. Badulla / Bandarawela With the heavy rains experienced in Badulla and Bandarawela, the water level of the Uma Oya is rapidly rising. Engineer in charge D.M. Dharmadasa stated at this rate the need to open the spill gates of the Rantambe reservoir may arise. He noted that the spill gates of the Rantambe reservoir have been opened, 300 cubic feet per second is released and Minipe, Mahiyanganaya, and other low lying areas will be affected due to this. He requested the general public to remain vigilant. People in many areas in the Badulla District have been adversely affected by the rains. The road leading to five villages was blocked for five hours due to the overflowing of the Badulu Oya in Uduwara, Haliela. The Ella-Wellawaya road was blocked near the Ella underpass due to landslides and the falling of trees. Several people in living in at the Hidagala estate, Balleketuwa, Ella has been temporarily moved from their houses due to a landslide warning. Meanwhile, three foreigners were injured this morning when a mound of earth collapsed on a private hotel at Ella. They are receiving treatment at the Badulla General Hospital. A hospital spokesperson stated their condition is not serious. Traffic on the Badulla-Colombo main road was halted for more than two hours due to two landslides in Demodara. Currently, vehicular movement is back to normal. In addition, vehicular movement along the Nuwara Eliya - Badulla road has been restricted to one lane after a mound of earth collapsed to a wall along the Etampitiya - Wellawela area. Speaking to News 1st the Assistant Director of the Badulla District DMC E.L.M Udayakumara requested all drivers to be cautious when travelling on the Ella - Wellawaya road, as there are risks of landslides and uprooting of trees. A mound of earth collapsed on a house in the Kumbalwela area in Bandarawela this evening, causing severe damage to the house. Matale District Due to heavy rain for 3 days several small and medium scale wewas in the area are already overflowing in Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Laggala. Department of Irrigation said spill gates of the Kandalama, Bowathenna, Wee Madilla, and Kala Wewa reservoirs have been opened. More than 1,000 cubic feet of water from the Kandalama Reservoir is discharged into the Kala Wewa across the Mirisgoniya Oya. The five spill gates of the Ibbankaduwa Dambulu Oya Reservoir have been opened and 6500 cubic feet per second is released to the Kala Wewa and many farmlands and low lying areas are inundated. Spill gates of the Kala Wewa have been opened by 15 feet and residents of the Ipalogama, Thambutthegama, and Thalaawa were evicted. With the opening of the spill gates of the Bowatenna reservoir, the volume of water released into the Moragahakanda reservoir is 13,300 cubic feet. Anuradhapura District The spill gates of several reservoirs and wewas in the Anuradhapura District have been opened. The Department of  Irrigation states that the spill gates of the Rajanganaya and Yan Oya reservoirs have been opened and the Nachchaduwa, Nuwara Wewa, Abhaya Wewa, Tissa Wewa, and Mahawilachchiya Wewa are already spilling. Therefore, the Disaster Management Center requests the public to be vigilant. Meanwhile, over 50 houses were damaged by gale winds through the Nachchaaduwa Divisional Secretariat area last night. Ampara District The dam of the Mahasiyambalagaskandiya Wewa in the Maha Oya, Ampara is in an unsafe condition. Security forces and people in the area filled sandbags to strengthen the embankment. Our correspondent stated that many of the surrounding villages have been flooded. Batticaloa District The Kiraan - Pulipaayindakal road in Batticaloa has also been inundated and the Army has commenced a boat service. Meanwhile, the Sellakataragama Ganapathi Kovil and several surrounding villages have been inundated due to heavy rains. Speaking to News 1st Assistant Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodippilli said:

"If there is any issue, we urge the public to call us on 117 and talk to us. Adverse weather conditions are prevalent across the island. We urge the public residing adjacent to rivers, to be vigilant of the weather. We urge the public to follow landslide warnings as well. If you witness any slanted trees, or cracks on the ground, or water streams emerging from the ground, you must take precautionary measures and evacuate these areas immediately. The public can seek shelter in temporary shelters."