UPDATE

May 23, 2018

8.51 PM – 

People who are living in Kalutara, Madurawala, Dodangoda, Horana, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya, Millaniya, Kirialla, Kuruvita, Alapatha, Ratnapura DS Divisions Vulnerable communities are advised to EVACUATE to safe locations.

8.30 PM – 

The Department of Meteorology forecasts heavy rainfall for tomorrow (May 24) as well. They added that many areas experienced a rainfall of over 100mm today (May 23).

According to the Director-General of the Department of Meteorology, Sarath Premalal, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces.

He added that heavy falls of about 100 mm can be expected at some places and fairly heavy falls of about 75mm can be expected at some places in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.

Furthermore, he said that the sea area extending from Mannar to Potuvil via Puttalam, Colombo and Hambantota can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph at times.

Director General Sarath Premalala noted that this situation will prevail until the 25^th and 26^th.

Director of the National Building Research Organisation, Gamini Jayatissa stated that they issued warnings to the Divisional Secretariats that are at high risk.

He noted that Red Alerts were issued to the Kegalle, Ratnapura, Nuwara-Eliya, Kalutara and Kegalle Districts.

7.41 PM – 

People who are living in Kalutara, Madurawala, Dodangoda, Horana, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya, Millaniya, Kirialla, Kuruvita, Alapatha, Ratnapura requested to be prepared to evacuate.

5.38 PM – 

Number of those affected rises to 105,352 across 18 districts. 11 deaths reported. 40,491 people displaced. – DMC

5.17 PM – 

The National Building Research Organization has issued code red landslide warning to the Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Kalutara and Kegalle Districts.

4.31 PM – 

Death toll rises to 11

4.19 PM  –

Sabaraghamuwa and Western Province as well as Galle and Matara districts will receive a rainfall of 100-150 mm – Met. Dept.

3.44 PM – 

Those in camps urged not to leave as water levels of the Kalu Ganga are rising. – Ratnapura District Secretary

2.43 PM – 

Two spill gates opened in Rajanganaya Reservoir. People at downstream advised to be vigilant.

2.09 PM – 

A maximum of Rs. 1 Mn to be paid in compensation for each life lost and Rs. 10,000 for each home affected by adverse weather. – State Min. Irrigation and Disaster Mgmt.

1.21 PM –

Heavy rain of about 100-150 mm forecast in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-western Provinces.

12.56 PM –

Grid substations in Katunayake, Bolawatta, Pannala, Mahawa, Chilaw and Anuradhapura malfunction, causing outages in several areas.

12.30 PM –

84,943 people affected by adverse weather across 14 districts. 10 people dead. 27,621 displaced.

10.31 AM –

Police close one lane of the Biyagama – Kaduwela bridge due to the high-risk situation.

6.55 AM –

The Met Department says rainfall could increase once again from today (May 23). The department says heavy rains of around 100 mm can be expected in the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-western Provinces and in Galle, Matara Districts.

It adds that 75mm rainfall can be expected in Mullaitivu, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

Meanwhile, strong winds and showers are expected to enhance in the North-east, North-western, Western and Southern sea areas during next few days. Navel and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says over 24,000 people are currently seeking shelter in 168 relief centers. According to the DMC, more than 68,000 people from 14 districts have been affected.

According to Assistant Director at the DMC Pradeep Kodippili, four people have died as a result of lightning strikes, two people lost their lives as a result of drowning, one person has died after an earth embankment collapsed while two others have died after a tree fell.

May 22, 2018

7.19 PM –  Residents of Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara and Galle Districts urged to be vigilant of landslides. – DMC

7.05 PM – People living in several areas in the Ratnapura District advised to be vigilant of landslides as rains have exceeded 100mm. – DMC

6.05 PM – 68,000 people in 14 districts affected by the adverse weather.

6.04 PM – Death toll rises to 09

5.48 PM –  How to stay clear of diseases during the ongoing adverse weather conditions.

3.23 PM – Heavy rains of about 150mm expected this afternoon in the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-western Provinces and Galle and Matara Districts.

3.22 PM – The finance minister instructs the Treasury to issue required funds to provide relief to those affected by the adverse weather.

2.45 PM –

12.55 PM – Heavy showers expected during the next few days in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western, North-western and Southern Provinces.

12.00 PM – Vehicular congestion reported at the Kaduwela exit of the Colombo Outer Circular Expressway due to floods in Biyagama.

11.55 AM – Operations along the Puttalam railway line came to a standstill as the tracks were inundated following heavy rainfall.

10.05 AM – Power supply disrupted in several areas in Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts as a safety measure during the adverse weather.

9.55 AM – Rescue teams from Sri Lanka Navy have rescued 172 people who were trapped by floods in the Kalawana area.

94 naval troops have been deployed to Nawagamuwa area. Among the rescued people were 9 pregnant mothers.

9.35 AM – The death toll across 10 districts has risen to 9. Over 38,000 people affected in total.

8.30 AM – 

Forecast for today (May 22)

The MET Dept. weather forecast says that the prevailing rainy conditions and cloudy skies in the South-Western part of the island is expected to continue during next few days.

Showers or thundershowers are expected to occur at times in; Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces. Elsewhere, showers or thundershowers will occur – particularly after 2.00 p.m.

Situation Report

Over 20,000 people of 3438 families have been affected across 12 districts in the island due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions. According to the Disaster Management Centre, 7742 people are affected in the Galle District – which is the highest number reported from across the country.

More than 1500 people have been relocated to over 30 camps.

Death toll: 6 people

Assistant Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodipplili said that most of the affected have been moved to shelters dues to floods and landslides. These shelters are located in;

• Ratnapura
• Kalutara
• Nuwara Eliya

The Code Red landslide warning issued for 15 administrative divisions in the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara and Kandy districts is still in effect. According to the News 1st correspondents, the flood waters in some of the affected areas have begun to recede.

Relief, Search & Rescue

SL Army has 1850 additional military personnel on standby to provide assistance to the people affected by the inclement weather. This figure includes;

1000 Army Personnel
600 Sailors
250 Airmen

09 Army teams with 125 soldiers dispatched to Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura Districts which are at high risk of flooding. Army Media Spokesperson Brig. Sumith Atapattu said the teams are equipped with boats and other lifesaving equipment.

27 Navy teams have also been dispatched to the Galle, Kalutara, Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts as part of the relief effort. All personnel at military bases across the country have been placed on standby to deploy – if the need arises. As for air-support, SLAF helicopters and personnel are also on standby to assist in emergency evacuations and provide relief to the affected.

Note: The Met Department has requested the General public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

Sahana Yathra

Given the ongoing adverse weather conditions and the increasing numbers of affected people around the country, News 1st launched the Sirasa-Shakthi Sahana Yathra yesterday (May 21) to collect dry rations and sanitary items for the people in disaster-struck areas.

Required items: Rice, dhal, sugar, tea, noodles, canned fish, biscuit, bottled water and sanitary items.

Drop-off locations:

> MTV/MBC Head Office, Braybrooke Place, Colombo 02
> The MTV/MBC Studio Complex, Depanama, Panniptiya
> Stein Studios, Ratmalana

As always, it is your contribution and your support that will make a significant difference in the lives of our fellow Sri Lankans impacted by floods. YOU can make a difference.

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10.00 PM (Final update for May 21) – MET Dept. weather forecast for tomorrow (May 22)

9.16 PM – Tawalama flooded due to the prevailing weather conditions.

8.52 PM – 3438 families have been affected across 12 districts in the island.

8.51 PM – 7742 people are affected in the Galle District, the highest number of victims reported – DMC

8.26 PM – Baddegama area in Galle flooded due to the prevailing weather conditions.

8.25 PM – Ratnapura town has flooded due to the prevailing weather conditions.

8.20 PM – Zonal education directors and the principals of schools have been given the authority to temporarily close schools if the adverse weather continues.

8.15 PM – One lane of the Alawwa-Kurunegala main road close to the Ma Oya has been temporarily closed. Police said a kilometre of the road from Alawwa has cracked.

8.11 PM – Over 1000 military personnel have been deployed to provide relief to the flood victims due to the prevailing weather situation.

7.15 PM: Sirasa-Shakthi Sahana Yathra has been launched to bring aid and essential items to affected areas.

How you can help: Donate Rice, Dhal, Sugar, Tea, Noodles, Canned Fish, Biscuits, Water Bottles and Sanitary items to our MTV/MBC Head Office in Braybrooke Street, Colombo 02, The MTV/MBC Studio Complex in Depanama, Panniptiya and Stein Studios in Ratmalana.

7.05 PM: Schools in three education zones of the Kegalle district have been closed due to the prevailing weather conditions.

6.35 PM: The Kelani River is at risk of overflowing from the Hanwella area.

6.30 PM: Water levels of the Ma-Oya increased to flood-level as rain continues.

6.15 PM: Red Landslide Warnings for 15 Divisional Secretariat areas in the Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle, Kalutara and Kandy Districts.

6.13 PM: Flood warning issued for those living along the banks of the Kelani River from Hanwella to Colombo.

5.47 PM: Death toll as a result of inclement weather rises to 6. Over 1000 people displaced and more than 20,000 affected. 3 of the deaths have been caused by lightning. – DMC

4.20 PM: Flood warning for residents along the banks of the Kalu Ganga, water levels will continue to rise – Irrigation Dept

4.00 PM: Red landslide warnings issued for 15 Divisional Secretariat areas in the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara and Kandy Districts – NBRO

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The prevailing weather condition with rain and cloudy skies is expected to continue in the South-West part of Sri Lanka, says the Meteorology Department.

MET Dept. predicts that showers/thundershowers will occur in the following provinces.

• Western
• Southern
• Sabaragamuwa
• Central
• North-Western

*These conditions are expected to occur elsewhere after 2.00 p.m.

 

 

Very heavy rain of about 150 mm can be expected at;

• Sabaragamuwa Province
• Western Province
• Galle District
• Matara District

Heavy rain above 100 mm can be expected at;

• Central Province
• North-western Province
• Uva Province
• Hambantota District
• Flood & landslide risks

Residents of Kegalle evacuated their homes while residents of Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota evacuated their homes as the risk of floods increase with the rising water levels of the Kelani River. Thalduwa, Awissawella, and both sides of the Southern Expressway between Kottawa and Galanigama have flooded. Around 40 families residing in the Voughan Estates, Mathugama have been evacuated due to the threat of landslides.

The DMC stated that over 170 people have evacuated to safe locations.

30 families living in the Welipanna Police Division have evacuated to safe locations due to threats of landslides, said Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara.

Highest recorded rainfall (24h)

Anamaduwa has recorded the highest rainfall of 353.8 mm over a 24 hour period which ended at 8.30 am today.

Other areas which received heavy rain are as follows;

Aadigama – 339 mm
Matale – 267.5 mm
Thuduwa (Ratnapura) – 232.6 mm
Kuliyapitiya – 232 mm
Kukuleganga – 232 mm

The MET Dept has also predicted an increase in the wind speeds from 70 to 80 kph during thundershowers along the seas around the island.

Electricity disrupted

The prevailing weather condition also resulted in disruptions of the electricity supply in parts of Sri Lanka. Outages in power supply have been reported in Agalawatta, Mathugama, Awissawella, and Horana, said the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy. The ministry also said that technical failures which were reported in the electricity generation systems in Thulhiriya, Mathugama, Ambalangoda and Galle have been repaired.

Chairman of the Engineers’ Union of the Ceylon Electricity board stated that despite the ongoing ‘work to rule’ trade union action, they will participate in maintenance activities.

Armed forces on standby

Security forces of around 500 personnel are on standby for relief operations to assist those who are affected by the ongoing inclement weather. Troops have already been deployed to Palinda, said the Army Media Spokesperson Bragider Sumith Athapaththu.

Navy personnel and officers of the disaster management centre are on standby with 6 boats while another team has been deployed to Bulathsinhala.

Schools closed

The Ministry of Education has decided to shut down all schools in the Rathnapura, Niwithigala and Dehiowita educations zones. Schools will remain closed today (May 21) and tomorrow (May 22).

Principals of these schools have been given the authority to temporarily close down the schools- if the inclement weather persists.

Fatalities

The DMC says that five people have been reported dead during the past week (May 14 – 21).