Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa road inundated as torrential rain wreaks havoc

The Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa main road is submerged in flood water after being pounded by downpours over the past few days, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says.

It is reported that a stretch of the road in Gallella area was closed until further notice as the road was inundated at a height of up to 2 feet near the Gallella Bridge.

The DMC also raised alarm about the rising water levels of the Mahaweli River due to the prevailing torrential rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Tissamaharama - Palatupana main entrance of the Yala National Park was temporarily closed after the Menik River overflowed and submerged the area. According to the warden of the park, Manoj Vidyaratne, six tourist bungalows have also been shut as a result.

In another development, the Badulla - Bandarawela main road was blocked for traffic on Tuesday night after a massive mound of earth collapsed across the road near the 7th Mile Post in Hali-Ela.

The motorists are urged to use alternate routes, Bandarawela - Etempitiya road and Demodara - Spring Valley road, until the blocked section of the road is cleared.