Due to the heavy rains, the water level of the Kalu Ganga reached the flood level at around 02.00 today, says the Irrigation Department.
The water level of the Kalu Ganga exceeded the overflow limit of seventeen feet around 11:00 am.
In addition, the water levels of Kuru, Denawak, Way, and Niriyali rivers also rose rapidly on the 1st afternoon. The road from Kuruvita to Eratne was flooded at several places due to the rise in the water level of the Kuru River. Kuruvita Pathagama Road was also flooded at several places and traffic was disrupted.
The overflowing of the Kalu Ganga caused minor flooding in Ratnapura and surrounding areas. Low-lying areas were flooded in many areas. A large amount of paddy land was also flooded. The water level of the Kalawana Kukule river was also rising.
The Ratnapura district secretary informed the people to be careful near the Ganga Eladola and in the areas prone to landslides.
The old private bus depot in Ratnapura city, Ratnapura municipal playground, Ratnapura Muwagama road, Ratnapura Batugedara, Dimia and Dambuluwana areas have been flooded and many low embankments and side roads have been flooded. The Ratnapura Disaster Management Center says that a few places on the Ratnapura Weewelwatta road are blocked by landslides.
As a flood situation has been declared in Pelmadulla, Nivitigala, Ratnapura, Alapatha, Kuruvita and Ayagama divisional secretariat sections of the Kalu Ganga basin, the Ratnapura District Secretariat has informed the residents of those low-lying areas to take safety measures.
Excerpt from – Mr. Ajitlal Udaya Shantalal’s face book
