Rains return as country battles to recover from Ditwah
– Showery weather has returned to several parts of the country, with the Meteorology Department warning that rain will continue over the Northern and Eastern regions during the next few days under the influence of an Easterly wave.The renewed rainfall comes as the country continues to recover from the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
According to the department, heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely in some areas of the Eastern, Central and Uva Provinces, as well as in the Polonnaruwa District.
As such, it has urged the public to take necessary precautions to minimize damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has lifted previously issued Level 3 (Red) landslide warnings following a review of ground conditions and recent rainfall.
However, Level 2 (Amber) and Level 1 (Yellow) warnings have been extended in several districts.
Level 2 (Amber) warnings, advising residents to remain cautious and vigilant, remain in effect for 25 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kandy, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya Districts. A large number of areas in the Kandy District, including Udapalatha, Kundasale, Yatinuwara, Akurana and surrounding divisions, continue to be at risk. Rideegama in the Kurunegala District and Hangaraketha, Walapane, Mathurata and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya District are also under Amber warnings.
In addition, Level 1 (Yellow) warnings have been extended to several Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Badulla, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts, advising residents to remain watchful and alert to changing conditions.
Moreover, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the Cyclone Ditwah that wreaked havoc in the country has so far claimed 643 lives, while 183 people remain missing.
Adverse weather conditions since November 16 have affected more than 1.6 million people from over 483,000 families nationwide.Further, around 6,200 houses have been completely destroyed, while more than 96,500 homes have suffered partial damage.
