EXTREME WEATHER: Many areas in Badulla affected by heavy rains and floods

COLOMBO (News 1st); A torrential downpour since Friday (29) night forced the Demodara Reservoir in the Badulla District to exceed spill and cause floods in surrounding villages.

The flash floods around carried away household belongings as well as motorcycles a considerable distance, as people were seen scrambling to locate their missing belongings after the flood waters receded.

Local authorities mobilized disaster response teams to assess the damages caused to property across many areas in the Badulla District.

Vehicles parked at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board office for the Badulla District were also damaged by floods and uprooted trees.

Debris that were carried away by flood waters were piled up at local bridge and authorities deployed local personnel to immediately clear the debris, fearing that if another flood situation arises, the bridge itself would be washed away.

The Assistant Director for the Disaster Management Center (Badulla), Udaya Kumara told News 1st that the floods mainly affected Ella, a tourist hotspot in the Badulla District.

"Around 200 families were affected and many state bodies located close to the Badulu Oya suffered property damage due to the floods," he added.