Sri Lanka, torrential rains and flooding: 130,000 displaced and schools closed

Monsoon rains have been bending the island country since May. Department of Meteorology: extreme weather until Thursday 17. In Gampaha, Kaduwela and Kalutara, the toll is at least three dead and two injured. Air Force (SLAF) mobilized for rescue operations. Dissanayake allocates funds for aid.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Last weekend's heavy rains and exceptional flooding in Sri Lanka forced the closure of schools in the capital Colombo as well as other regions. More than 134,400 people were displaced yesterday morning.

The toll at the moment is three dead and two injured, recorded in Gampaha, Kaduwela and Kalutara. The latest reports show the worst damage in Gampaha and Colombo districts, with several homes damaged and destroyed. Newly elected President Anura Dissanayake has allocated 50 million rupees to assist those affected by the devastation.

The Meteorology Department had informed Sunday of the expectation of as much as 100 mm of rain these days, stating that these adverse conditions could last until Oct. 17.

According to Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake, the disturbance developed over Sri Lanka falling within the inter-tropical convergence zone and inter-monsoonal conditions.

The island country is often affected by extreme disturbances due to its geographical location, being surrounded by the ocean and located in the equatorial belt. Adverse weather conditions in the country have lasted since May due to heavy monsoon rains.

In June, 16 people died due to floods and landslides. These days, people affected by the weather disaster are mainly in Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, Kilinochchi, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Hambantota, Galle, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Puttalam, a total of 6,963 people belonging to 1,753 families who have been sent to safe places.

Transportation and train services in Puttalam and Gampaha were disrupted due to torrential rains. In Gampaha, 80,529 people belonging to 20,067 households were affected, while in Colombo, 40,231 individuals belonging to 10,904 households were affected. In Gampaha, passenger transportation also became impractical as the city's central bus station went under water.

The Ministry of Education said instructions have been given to all provincial and zonal education liaisons to take necessary actions to close schools affected by the floods and other disasters caused by the adverse weather conditions. The decision was made following discussions with the district disaster management committee. In addition, landslide hazard warnings were issued for several districts.

The Irrigation Department issued a yellow and amber warning for residents in the low-lying areas of Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu Oya, considering the water level of these rivers. In fact, Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department, said, “Minor flooding has been reported in the Nagalagam Street area of the low-lying Kelani River, and in the Kalawellawa area of the low-lying Kuda Ganga of the Kalu Ganga and the Dunamale area of the Attanagalu Oya.”

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has mobilized aircraft and troops in anticipation of potential emergencies due to the current adverse weather conditions. SLAF spokesperson Eranda Geeganage said Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has instructed the Air Force to stand ready to initiate rescue and relief operations should the need arise.