Five persons injured, 62 families displaced by landslides

By Ifham Nizam

Five persons suffered injuries, and 62 families were displaced due to landslides at Haldamulla, in the Badulla District, yesterday, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippilli said.

Three houses were fully damaged and more than 20 houses were partially damaged, he added.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday warned that there was a risk of landslides in three districts due to the prevailing heavy rains.

The Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre of the Badulla District, E. L. E. M. Udaya Kumara, stated that the area experienced significant rainfall.

Assistant Director Kumara says that a full investigation into the incident is underway, and additional details are expected to emerge as the probe progresses.

A spokesman for the National Building Research Organisation said that the risk has emerged in the districts of Badulla, Galle and Matale.

The spokesman also mentioned that the people living in hilly and sloping areas in the disaster prone districts should be on alert for early signs of landslides.

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning of thundershowers, across many regions of the country, particularly in the evening and at night.

The Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North Central, and Eastern provinces may face heavy downpours of up to 50 mm.

In addition, wind speeds are expected to increase to 80 km per hour in the coastal areas from Colombo to Hambantota, via Galle and Matara, according to the Department of Meteorology.

With these conditions, the fishing and coastal communities are advised to exercise extreme caution and be vigilant, while at sea.

The general public is urged to monitor weather updates and be prepared for possible disruptions in daily routines.

It is essential to follow safety precautions and avoid outdoor activities during periods of heavy rain and strong winds to prevent accidents and injuries, the Met Department said.