At least 7 people have died in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in Sri Lanka’s central hill. Three people have been injured in the incident.
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre say that the landslide struck on 25 September 2015 in the Kotmale division of Nuwara Eliya District, in the country’s Central Province. They say several houses have been destroyed and that 286 people have been evacuated from the affected area and are currently staying at a nearby school.
Sri Lanka Red Cross are currently helping with relief operations. They said:
Immediately after the disaster the Sri Lanka Red Cross Nuwara Eliya Branch deployed first aid trained volunteers to assist the survivors. Later on officials of the branch took steps to provide non food relief items to the survivors. Children were provided with milk food items as well.
The country has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last 4 days. More rain is predicted, although it is likely to be mostly moderate in most areas, with possible heavy rainfall in the south-western part of the country
Rainfall
Figures below from WMO for a 24 hour period between 27 and 28 September.
Colombo – 56.3 mm
Ratmalana – 79.5 mm
Galle – 71.7 mm
Trincomalee – 84 mm from 26 to 27 September 2015
Meeriyabedda Landslides, October 2014
Almost a year ago Sri Lanka suffered one of its deadliest landslides.
On Wednesday 29 October 2014 heavy rain led to a landslide in the Meeriyabedda tea plantation near the town of Haldummulla, Badulla District of Uva Province, which is about 120 miles inland from the capital Colombo.
This hilly region is notorious for mudslides, particularly at this time of year. Initial assessments said that the mudslides had killed at least 10 people and left hundreds missing. The death toll was to rise to over 30 as search and rescue operations found more bodies.
