Colombo records highest rainfall since 2005

Dulshani Gunawardena

Colombo recorded a 207 mm rainfall yesterday, the highest since 2005, a spokesperson for the Meteorological Department said. Meanwhile, Ratmalana recorded a 210mm rainfall, Kandy (93mm), Kalutara (113 mm) and Matugama (75.6 mm).

According to today’s forecast, thundershowers will develop over the island in the afternoon and evening, with morning showers in the Eastern province. There will be localized strong winds during the thundershowers.

The Meteorological Department spokesperson said this condition, occurring due to the inter monsoon condition, would persist till the end of November. The situation is due to a disturbance in the atmosphere along the Western coastline. The public have been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize the damages caused by lightning.

The heavy rains that lashed the country caused havoc in many parts with several roads and buildings inundated with flash floods causing lengthy traffic jams.

Colombo city and suburbs were among the worst affected by the torrential rains that lashed from Tuesday and continued into the morning yesterday with many roads rendered impassable.

The heavy rains also saw the Colombo Municipal Council building going several feet under water making it inaccessible to the public.

Disaster Management Centre, Assistant Coordinator, Pradeep Kodippily said the situation was under control by 11.00 a.m., with rains subsiding and the public directed to use alternative

routes. He said the Disaster Management Centre was alert to signs of future development and prepared to take immediate action should the need arise.

A tree had fallen and blocked the railway at Gampola, halting train activity for several hours in the morning.

The lowlands and roads along the route from Kalutara to Panadura, including Panadura, Beruwala, Matugama and Kalutara, reported flooding and heavy traffic congestion. Around 1,200 families in Kalutara were affected and two houses in Beruwala damaged due to a minor landslide. The Panadura Hospital was also affected but sources reported the situation had returned to normal by midday.

No causalities were reported. Meanwhile police spokesman SSP I. M. Karunaratne said it was reported that several roads including Kotahena, Maradana, Maligawatte and Grandpass roads were under water.

In the Grandpass area, Wales Kumara Mawatha, Edirisinghe Mawatha, Stadium Gama and Edirisinghe Watte were under two feet water. Several areas in the Maligawatte area including Sangaraja roundabout, Bodhiraja Mawatha, Saddharma Mawatha, Jayaratne Mawatha, Sumanatissa Mawatha, Sangaraja Mawatha and Masonton Street went one and a half under water, Apple Watte was under five feet water and Maligawatte police station under three feet water, the Police Headquarters said.

George R. de Silva Mawatha, Jambugas Veediya and Armour Street roundabout in Kotahena were also under water while No. 31 tenement estate was under four feet water.

Police instructed the public to take alternative roads to avoid inconvenience and traffic congestion due to the floods.