Rains and floods: Death toll reaches 91

The death toll from floods and landslides caused by the torrential rain had reached 91, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

DMC Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili told a total of 110 people had gone missing due to the torrential rains.

In its situation report, the DMC said a total of 61,315 were affected in the Sabaragamuwa, Western and Southern Provinces due to the torrential rains. “According to the report, more than 300 houses were fully damaged. Galle District was the most affected by the floods leaving 16,759 people affected,” it said.

Kalutara District Secretary U.D.C. Jayalath said 38 people were killed and about 70 people had gone missing in his district.

Ratnapura Additional District Secretary V.H.S. Danawardane said 36 people were killed and 5 people had gone missing in Ratnapura.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels and requested the public to call 011-2136136, 011-2670002 and 117 for emergencies.

The DMC also advised the public to evacuate from unstable slopes to minimize disasters due to landslides, rock falls and cut slope failures in Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Hambantota districts, if the showers continue for the next 24 hours.

“People of Bulathkohupitiya, Deraniyagala, Yatiyantota, Dehiowita, Baddegama,Yakkalamulla, Neluwa, Thawalama, Bulathsinhala, Agalawatta, walallawita, Baduraliya, Kotapola, Pasgoda, Pitabeddara, Mulatiyana, Walasmulla and Katuwana areas are advised to evacuate,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said that rain and windy condition is expected to continue over the South-Western part of the country due to South-Western monsoon.

“Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places,” it said.