Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings due to heavy rains

Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) issued landslide warnings to seven districts on Sunday after heavy rain falls continued into its second day in many parts of the island country.

The center said in a statement that the warnings were issued to Kurunegala, Monaragala, Badulla, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya districts in North Central province, Uva province and the Central Highlands.

The DMC advised residents in those areas to be vigilant and avoid mountainous areas and roads where landslides would be likely.

Atleast 30 houses have so far been damaged owing to strong winds in the southern coastal town of Panadura and residents have been evacuated.

The armed forces have also been put on alert and the Defence Ministry earlier on Sunday advised the public to get emergency assistance from the troops.

Extreme weather with heavy winds and rainfalls continued for the second day on Sunday after the Meteorology Department said an atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka had intensified into a low pressure area and had established in southeastern Sri Lanka.

Weather alerts said that heavy rains were expected to continue for at least 48 more hours.

Several roads in many parts of the country was cut off due to floods and the Sri Lanka Red Cross said its staff has been placed on alert to assist anyone who may be affected by the bad weather. Endit