COLOMBO : One person was killed and another was seriously injured in a landslide that took place at Medebedda in Galewela yesterday morning.
The deceased has been identified as M.G. Nandasena, 86 of Medebedda.
Residents had seen an earth mound moving towards their houses and quickly removed a vehicle and a motorcycle parked in the garden. As they began taking out furniture and other items from the house, the earth mound had fallen on the house killing one of the inmates which is situated on the Galewela – Matale road.
Galewela police said the injured has been transferred from the Galewela hospital to the Dambulla Base Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile traffic movement on the Batticaloa – Polonnaruwa road came to standstill a stretch of the road came under water in Gallella due to rains. Polonnaruwa District Secretary W.A. Dharmasiri said the road leading to historical Somawathiya chetiya was closed for traffic yesterday after the heavy downpour led to the road being flooded.
Police and Army personnel have been deployed to evacuate devotees at the Somawathiya temple premises. Monks at the temple said that the water level may rise if rain continues to lash the area. The devotees are requested to make inquiries from us before coming to Somawathiya the monks said.
The Meteorological Department yesterday issued an advisory for heavy showers in the Eastern Province, Polonnaruwa, Mullaitivu, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Kilinochchi districts. The Department said rains may exceed 100 mm in some areas and strong winds and lightening are also expected in these areas. (CDN)
