Sri Lanka flood and landslide death toll rises to 25

May 26, 2017 (LBO) – The death toll from torrential rain across Sri Lanka has risen to 25 persons with more than 42 people reported missing, the island’s Disaster Management Centre said Friday. The Disaster Management Centre said that over 7,800 people belonging to 2,811 families were affected in seven districts. Sabaragamuwa Province is worst affected with 12 deaths and more than 815 families displaced by floods and landslides. Due to the heavy rain several locations of rivers Kalu, Kelani, Gin, Nilwala, Attanagalu Oya witnessed rising water levels that later caused flooding. Sri Lanka depends on the monsoons for irrigation and power generation with two main monsoons running from May to September and December to February. Power Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said spill gates of the Lakshapana, Canyon and Kukule Ganga reservoirs opened due to heavy rain. The government requests all residents along lower level of Kelani & other rivers to relocate to safe areas as soon as possible. People of Kelani Ganga related Divisional Secretariat areas and Kalu Ganga related Divisional Secretariat areas are especially advised to take adequate measures from major floods. Unconfirmed reports said the death toll had risen to 57 with 80 people still missing in the country. It is also reported that in Kalutara District alone 38 persons had been killed due to the inclement weather. According to the Meteorological Department heavy rain is expected over Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Matara and Colombo Districts. Rising water levels have already been identified by the Irrigation Department in Kalu Ganga, Kelani Ganga, Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga. Possible inundation of the low lying areas will also be expected. Met department further said this adverse weather condition will prevail until the end of this month. Meanwhile, Disaster Management Centre has introduced 24-hour hotline to give information on disaster situations. (011 2136226, 011 2136136 & 077 3957900)