Schools Reopen in North Central and Eastern Provinces as Rainfall Subsides

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Irrigation says that the Malwathu Oya is still at a high flood level. 

The Department adds that the Yan Oya as well as the Kala Oya have also reached flood levels. 

However, the Met Department says that the extreme rainy conditions prevailing in the island will recede from today. 

Ampara District Secretary Chinathaka Abeywickrama says that the impact of heavy rainfall on the district would reduce, if rainfall is not experienced in the region over the next few days. 

He adds that all 5 sluice gates of the Senanayaka Samudraya are now open. 

He adds that the reservoir continues to receive a large volume of water from upper catchment areas. 

Meanwhile, the sluice gates of the Senanayake Samudraya in Inginiyagala were opened, releasing water into the Gal Oya.

This has caused the riverbanks to breach, submerging several paddy fields in the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, more paddy fields were submerged due to the overflow of the Kala Oya, Yan Oya, and Malwathu Oya in the Anuradhapura district. 

The number of districts affected by the ongoing adverse weather conditions, is 15. 

The Disaster Management Center says that 20,300 individuals belonging to 6,785 families are affected by heavy rains. 

The number of deaths due to inclement weather conditions has also risen to 2. 

3 individuals have been injured. 

The DMC says that 1,165 individuals are sheltering in 22 safe locations as well. 

173 cases of partial house damage have also been reported.

Meanwhile, schools in the North Central and Eastern provinces will be reopened today, due to the reduction of heavy rainfall experienced in those regions. 

Due to heavy rainfall, all schools in the Eastern Province were closed yesterday. 

Provincial Governor Jayanthalal Ratnasiri stated that the scheduled term exams will now be held on upcoming Saturday.

Additionally, all schools in the North Central Province were closed yesterday.