Thursday, September 23, 2004
Rains cause fear among residents and officials
By Damitha Hemachandra
Nearly 75 families from the Baddegama area of the Galle District had been displaced due to rising floods while the District Secretariat said they would have to call in Navy assistance to rescue the stranded and to distribute cooked food if the rains were to continue.
Two houses in Niyagama were washed away by an earthslip while families in Welipitiya and Ethkandura were given a warning to move due to rising water levels.
"There are nearly 20 families trapped in Horagampita near Baddegama," spokesman for Galle district Secretariat said adding that rescue missions have already been launched with the assistance of the neighbours.
Galle district received a rainfall of 50.5 mm on Tuesday and was continuing to receive heavy showers throughout yesterday. The rainy weather triggered by tail-end effect of the Southwest monsoon is tipped to cause floods and landslides in Ratnapura, Galle and Kalutara districts. The Kalutara District authorities had already taken steps to broaden the estuary of the Kaluganga.
"Flood levels in Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala and Madurawela had increased with last night rains," Kalutara District Secretariat said adding that villagers in Koskulana, Kithulhena and Palindanuwara have been warned of landslide threats.
In Ratnapura, authorities are on alert to face a serious flood situation. Although no families had been displaced roads leading to Deraniyagala and Kithulgala were impassable due to rising water levels.
"We have taken steps to move six families from Koskulama-Kalawana," District Secretary Malini Premarathna said.
Meanwhile National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) insisted on following the landslide warnings issued to minimise loss of lives, as in the previous years.
Nearly 75 families from the Baddegama area of the Galle District had been displaced due to rising floods while the District Secretariat said they would have to call in Navy assistance to rescue the stranded and to distribute cooked food if the rains were to continue.
Two houses in Niyagama were washed away by an earthslip while families in Welipitiya and Ethkandura were given a warning to move due to rising water levels.
"There are nearly 20 families trapped in Horagampita near Baddegama," spokesman for Galle district Secretariat said adding that rescue missions have already been launched with the assistance of the neighbours.
Galle district received a rainfall of 50.5 mm on Tuesday and was continuing to receive heavy showers throughout yesterday. The rainy weather triggered by tail-end effect of the Southwest monsoon is tipped to cause floods and landslides in Ratnapura, Galle and Kalutara districts. The Kalutara District authorities had already taken steps to broaden the estuary of the Kaluganga.
"Flood levels in Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala and Madurawela had increased with last night rains," Kalutara District Secretariat said adding that villagers in Koskulana, Kithulhena and Palindanuwara have been warned of landslide threats.
In Ratnapura, authorities are on alert to face a serious flood situation. Although no families had been displaced roads leading to Deraniyagala and Kithulgala were impassable due to rising water levels.
"We have taken steps to move six families from Koskulama-Kalawana," District Secretary Malini Premarathna said.
Meanwhile National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) insisted on following the landslide warnings issued to minimise loss of lives, as in the previous years.
