Heavy rains destroy crops: Farmers helpless without a proper source of income

COLOMBO(News 1st) - Floods in a number of regions across the island have begun to recede. However, the threat of more floods occurring still remains high in many areas. The section of the Badulla-Batticaloa road from Lunugala to Passara still remains closed. The road was closed due to the risk of landslides in Millabadda. The Disaster Management Centre said that estate employees residing in nearby houses have been notified to evacuate to safer locations. The Lunugala Police request motorists to use the Lunugala Passara road as an alternative. Meanwhile, the Mannar road from Puttalam to Wanathawilluwa remains inundated after the spill gates of the Rajanganaya reservoir were opened. Surrounding regions including old Eluwankulama, Gange Wadiya, and Eluwankulama are still flooded. The affected residents are being sheltered at the Eluwankulama Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya. The heavy showers experienced in the Eastern Province is gradually subsiding. Floodwaters in regions such as Chenkaladi Batticaloa have now receded. According to our correspondent, people from the Kiran divisional secretariat in Batticaloa are still seeking shelter at 3 safe camps. The spill gates of the Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura that were opened by 20 feet have now been reduced to 15 feet. Floods caused by the water released from the Kalawewa are now receding. Our correspondent said that this bridge situated close to the spill gates of the Kala Wewa has been damaged by the mass of water released by the spill gates of the Kala Wewa. The floodwater due to the overflowing of the Menik river in Kataragama have completely receded. Meanwhile, the Polonnaruwa Somawathiya road is still inundated after heavy rains battered the region in the past few days. A buddha pooja was held at the historic Somawathiya Chetiya which is currently under 3 feet of water. Ven. Pamune Sri Sumangala Thero, Viharadhipathi of the Somawathi Rajamaha Viharaya advised the devotees not to pilgrimage in the area until the water levels subside. According to our correspondent, the Moragahakandha reservoir is reaching spill level due to water being released from the Bowathenna reservoir to Ambangana. Heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Moragahakandha reservoir have also contributed to this. Meanwhile, with the incessant rain preceded by the drought and the wild elephant menace, the farming community in Thispanepura, Anuradhapura is now faced with an economic crisis. The farmers state that the crops they protected with great difficulty have been destroyed owing to the floods. Just as the North Central Province is battered by the extreme weather, residents of Siththandi in the Batticaloa District of the Eastern Province have been severely impacted by the incessant rains. The locals stated that they are helpless and the situation is worsened with the heavy rains and they suffer the same fate every year.