DEVELOPING STORY ; For all flood related updates

May 27

05.31 pm : In a Twitter message the President had said: “I visited the disaster-affected Kaluthara district this morning. The government will give new houses to those who lost their houses.”

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05.04 pm : Government has increased the amount of money allocated for the preliminary relief measures in seven districts affected by the flood and landslide to Rs 150 million, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

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04.56 pm : President has instructed the officials to take immediate steps to provide compensation for the deaths and property damages caused by the adverse weather conditions resulting in floods and landslides.

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04.30 pm : Pakistan says it is in constant touch with Sri Lankan authorities to finalize the required relief goods as they have requested and will soon provide necessary relief goods to the government and people of Sri Lanka.

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02.01 pm : The Office of the Chief of Defence Staff provides two contact numbers for life saving support and other urgent assistance in wake of the present situation. 

 0112674535
 0112674502

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01.15 pm : President advises officials to carry out relief measures for flood and landslide victims regardless of regulations and circulars.

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12.19 pm : 207,290 individuals in total have been affected by the prevalent extreme weather conditions so far, DMC says.

14 districts were affected.

103 have been reported dead whereas 113 have reportedly been injured.

Ratnapura recorded the highest number of deaths, amounting upto 46.
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11.52 am : Water level is are receding in Neluma and Thawalama, Galle DMC says.

Consequently, water levels may rise in Nagoda, Niyagama, Baddegama, Yatalamaththa and Mapalagama.

The DMC has therefore requested inhabitants of the flood-prone areas to evacuate as soon as possible.

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9:56 am : Bandaththara area in Matara has been issued an immediate evacuation notice, as the flood-protective bunds of the Nilwala River are in a vulnerable state.
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9.34 am : Death toll due to the inclement weather and associated crisis has risen to 100, Government said. 99 remain missing.

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May 26

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11.00 pm : Kaduwela exit of the Southern Expressway has been closed off due to flooding. Road Development Authority advises motorists travelling from Kadawatha to use the alternative exits of Kottawa and Athurugiriya.

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10.32 pm : The Kelani River has overflowed, submerging many surrounding areas. The DMC continues to urge those residing near the river bank to evacuate immediately.

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10:22 pm : A landslide in Nivithigala, Kiribathgala has affected several houses. 10 have been reported dead as a result of the incident, whereas sources reveal that some remain missing, buried under the mound.

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10.04 pm : 18 people have been reported missing due to a landslide in Thibbatuwatta, Bulathsinhala. Search operations have been commenced to relocate the missing individuals.

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9.59 pm : The Tri-Forces are conducting extensive rescue operations across the island to rescue and assist those affected by the ongoing crisis.

The SL Navy has dispatched 28 boats, the SL Air Force 07 helicopters, whereas the SL Army has utilized 6 BTR tanks of high power in order to assist the destitute.

The SL Navy has reportedly rescued over 700 persons so far, 357 of them being from the Galle district.

84 ambulances have also been allocated for emergency assistance by the 1990 ambulance service.

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9.31 pm : Police have requested the public to refrain from gathering at crisis-ridden areas for sightseeing, as this has contributed to severe traffic congestion around the areas and also obstructed the rescue and assistant operations conducted by authorities.

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9.27 pm : If the extreme weather conditions persist, the districts of Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Hambantota run the risk of being affected by landslides, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) says.

The NBRO has accordingly warned residents of said districts to be on the look out for warning signs of oncoming landslides, such as the toppling of gravel and rocks, sudden emergence of water springs, and the unheaval of trees.

The Organization has also advised residents near mountain slopes to evacuate as soon as possible.

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9.22 pm : SL Army has issued the following region-specific numbers to call for assistance:

Ratnapura - 0766907125

Galle and Matara - 0766907206

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6.42pm : The Colombo Avissawella old road has been inundated at the points of Wellampitiya, Kohilawatta and Ambatale. Police have advised motorists to use alternative roads.

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6:35pm : The DMC confirms that 91 people have been reported dead whereas 110 remain missing as a result of the flooding and adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, 53,114 people have been displaced thus far.

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6.10pm : The Ministry of Home Affairs has opened a 24-hour hotline to enable the public to provide information of any emergency or disaster situation.

To reach the hotline, contact: 1902

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4.22 pm : An Air Force official who was engaging in a rescue operation in Neluwa has been injured after falling from a helicopter, SL Air Force said.

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4.12pm : The DMC says that 37 people have died and another 80 are missing in Kalutara District due to floods and mudslides while the death toll in the Ratnapura District has climbed to 28 so far.

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4.10 pm : As a result of the heavy rainfall in Galle during the elapsed 24-hour period, 69,210 persons of 17,771 families have been victimized in 313 Grama Niladhari divisions and 19 Divisional Secretariat divisions, the district’s Disaster Management Unit said.

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4.00 pm : A main water distribution pipe has sustained damages from a landslide in Thunmodara, Kaluaggala. Consequently, water supply to the areas of Waga, Kaluaggala, Hanwella, Jayaweeragoda, Jalathara, Ranaala and Navagamuwa has been hindered, with reduction of water pressure in Kaduwela, Water Supply and Drainage Board announced.

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3.56 pm : Wimalasurendra reservoir in Norten Bridge has started to overflow.

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3.32 pm : Two sluice gates of the Lakshapana Reservoir and two at the Canyon Reservoir have been opened since this morning. 

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3.12 pm : At least seven women reported missing, 3 rescued after an earth mound collapsed on to a women’s hostel at the Duli Ella tea factory in Neluwa. 
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2.56 pm : The Education Ministry says that all examinations scheduled to be conducted by the Department of Examinations on Saturday (27) and Sunday (28) have been postponed due to bad weather. 

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2.49 pm : The Disaster Management Center (DMC) says that the death toll due to the prevailing inclement weather condition has risen to 26 so far. 

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2.35 pm : The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development says that constructions blocking natural canals and waterways in Kolonnawa, Kaduwela, Wattala and 

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1.10 pm : Party leaders have decided to suspend Parliament proceedings at 2.00pm today, considering the prevailing disaster situation owing to inclement weather. 

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12.58 pm :At least 7 persons were killed while another 3 are reportedly missing due to the landslide in Bogahawatta, Bulathsinhala.

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12.20 pm : Heavy traffic has been reported in and around Colombo due to heavy rain. 

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12.10 pm : The Department of Meteorology requests naval and fishing communities to be vigilant as very strong winds (up to 80kmph) and very rough seas can be expected at times in the shallow and deep sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee.

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12.07 pm : To request boats for relief efforts contact : 071-6453402, 077-4652278, 077-3410575

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11.37 am : The Ratnapura town is submerged due to the overflowing of the Kalu River, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) office in Ratnapura confirmed. 

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11.08 am : Home Minister Vajira Abeywardena says that 13 persons have died and another 4 are missing so far due to the prevailing adverse weather condition .

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10.58 am : Seven people die in landslide in Bogahawatta area in Bulathsinhala. Police have declared three missing. 

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The Disaster Management Center (DMC) advises people living along the banks of Kalu Ganga in Ratnapura, Elapatha, Pelmadulla, Kuruvita, Kiriella and Ayagama to take measures from possible major floods.

Those along the banks of Kalu Ganga in Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala, Palinda-Nuwara, Millaniya and Padukka are also advised to take measures from possible major floods. 

The DMC also advises people living along the banks of the Kelani River in Kolonnawa, Biyagama, Kelaniya, Kaduwela, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to take measures from possible minor floods. 

Meanwhile the people living in the lower levels of the Nilwala River inner dam area such as Kokduwa, Malimbada and Akuressa are requested to evacuate soon, the Matara government agent said. 

Major flood areas 

Ratnapura 
Elapatha
Pelmadulla
Kuruvita
Kiriella
Ayagama
Ingiriya
Bulathsinhala
Palinda-Nuwara
Millaniya
Padukka

Minor flood areas

Kolonnawa
Biyagama
Kelaniya
Kaduwela
Dompe
Hanwella
Padukka
Avissawella

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10.31 am: A police search has begun to find the individuals who have been reported missing in the Baduraliya area due to a landslide. 

Police stated that five houses have been crushed due to the landslide. 

It has been reported that the residents were present inside their houses at the time of the accident. 

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10.27 am: Kokmaduwa and Welipenna interchanges of the Southern Expressway flooded due to the inclement where, Police said. Motorists are advised to use alternative exits to avoid inconveniences.

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10.02 am: A 52-year-old in Kahawatha has been declared dead on the spot after being crushed under tree, due to the heavy rains. 

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07.04 am: Three women died due to the collapse of earth mounds in Sapugaskanda and Devinuwara areas

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Ministry of Home Affairs 24 hour emergency hotline -1902

Emergency contact numbers Disaster Management Centre

Disaster emergency hotline – 117

Gen.: 011 2136136
EOC: 011 2136222
         011 2670002
Fax:  011 2670079

Contact numbers of the District Secretariats and District Secretaries,

Ratnapura District - 0452222235 / 0714423760
Kalutara District - 034 2222235 / 0716814813
Galle District - 0912234235 / 0714415377
Matara District - 0412222235 / 0776864397
Hambantota District - 0472256235 / 0714441612
Colombo District - 0112369134 / 0773184910
Gampaha District - 0332222235 / 0773273507
Kegalle District - 0352222235 / 0773633293

Contact numbers to request boats for relief efforts,

0716453402
0774652278
0773410575