Heavy rain in Plantation districts kills one, injures 7

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 June 2007, 11:36 GMT]
Torrential rain accompanied by heavy winds in the areas in hill country for the last five days has claimed the life of a woman and injured seven students, sources in Bandarawela said. The woman killed was identified as Premawathy, mother of two children, police said.

Hurricane force winds caused severe damage to a number of houses, schools, public buildings, business establishments and many vehicles in the affected areas in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Ratnapura districts.

Transport problems due to fallen trees and interruption to electricity supply continue to plague several areas, affected residents said.

Meanwhile the Government authorities have warned the residents in the affected districts that if the heavy rain continues to fall there is danger of mud slides and heavy flooding.

In Nuwara Eliya roofs of several estate houses have been destroyed by wind, the civil societies in the estates have appealed to the Disaster management Ministry and Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief to take immediate action to provide relief supplies to the residents.

In Ratnapura district in Rilhena, Thenekke, a tree fell over an 11-year old student seriously injuring him. The student was admitted at Ratnapura hospital and his condition is critical, sources in the area said.

In low lying area of Ratnapura, rain water has begun accumulating but flood warning has not been issued. However since the water level of Kalu Ganga river has been rapidly rising, it is feared that continued rain fall may result in heavy flooding in the area. As a precautionary measure the residents living close the river in flood-prone area have been advised to leave the area immediately. The officials have also advised people in areas usually subjected to land slide to be on the alert

Water level of the river Mahaweli Ganga is also steadily rising and a large number of live stock have been swept by powerful water currents, locals said.

Meanwhile, train service to Hatton has been temporarily suspended, sources in Hatton said.

In Nawalapitiya interruption of power supply to factories and business establishments has seriously affected their production.

According to the Meteorological Department the strong wind condition will continue over most parts of the island, affecting the South Western areas more seriously. There also will be intermittent showers in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North Western and Western provinces. The Disaster Management Ministry is taking measures to aid the civilians affected by the heavy rain and strong winds, officials at the Ministry said.