Heavy rains displace about 8,000 in Galle region

About 2,000 families have been displaced by heavy rains in the Galle region on Saturday night (12), according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Torrential rains have caused the Moragoda Canal to overlfow, innundating several low-lying areas in and around Galle. Galle Four Gravets, Akmeemana, Poddala and Balapitiya Divisional Secretariat areas affected with 7,736 displaced, a spokesperson for the DMC said.

Out of the four areas Galle, Four Gravets was the worst hit with 6,061 persons, from 1509 families, displaced. Meanwhile, 406 persons, from 92 families have been displaced at Poddala, 506 persons from 180 families in Balapitiya and 709 persons from 179 families at Akmeemana.

About 150 houses have been damaged and 20 earth slips reported. Galle received 166.7 mm of rain from 8 am on May 12 to 6 am yesterday (13). The he Met Department expects further showers, over 100 mm, in the Southern Province today, especially after 2.00 pm.

“Heavy rains, up to 100mm can be expected at some places, particularly in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Vauniya districts. There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. General public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by lightning”