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Thousands Impacted As Heavy Rains Batter Sri Lanka

A powerful spell of adverse weather continues to grip Sri Lanka, affecting more than 12,000 people across 12 districts, forcing families into safety centres, triggering landslide warnings, raising flood risks and prompting the closure of all schools across the country. According to the Disaster Management Centre, the prevailing heavy rainfall has impacted the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kalutara, Ampara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Mannar and Trincomalee. A total of 12,032 people from 3,162 families have been affected by the severe weather conditions. Authorities said 304 people are currently being sheltered at eight safe locations. One death has also been reported from Madampe in Puttalam after a drowning incident. The victim was identified as a 56-year-old man. Since October 23, partial damage has been reported to 227 houses, while two homes have been completely destroyed due to the adverse weather. The Department of Meteorology says the rainy conditions affecting the southwestern parts of the island are expected to continue today. Meteorologists noted that Cyclone "Arnab", which had been located over the west-central Bay of Bengal, has further intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. As of 2.30 a.m. today (27), the system was located approximately 890 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai. The cyclone is forecast to move west-northwestward until 5.30 p.m. today (27) before making landfall over the Andhra Pradesh coast of India tomorrow morning. Although the system is not expected to directly impact Sri Lanka, weather officials say the strong airflow being drawn toward the cyclone is continuing to fuel the ongoing wet weather across the island. As a result, intermittent rain is expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North Western Provinces, as well as in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. The Department of Meteorology has also advised the fishing and naval communities not to venture into the deep and shallow sea areas of the Bay of Bengal until further notice due to the prevailing conditions. Meanwhile, the highest rainfall recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 3.00 a.m. today was reported from Pooneryn in Kilinochchi, which received 163 millimetres of rain. Iluppaikkadavai in Mannar recorded 148 millimetres, while Tholpuram and Meesalai in Jaffna received 110 millimetres and 101 millimetres respectively. Amid the continuing downpours, red evacuation notices over landslide risks have been issued for several Divisional Secretariat divisions in the districts of Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya and Kalutara. In Ratnapura District, the affected divisions are Ratnapura, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Elapatha and Opanayake. Red landslide notices have also been issued for Bulathsinhala and Dodangoda in Kalutara District and Ambagamuwa Korale and Norwood in Nuwara Eliya District. Level Two landslide warnings have meanwhile been issued for Attanagalla in Gampaha District; Agalawatta, Walallawita, Millaniya, Palindanuwara, Ingiriya, Madurawala and Matugama in Kalutara District; Udunuwara, Pasbage Korale, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in Kandy District; Kegalle, Ruwanwella, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Galigamuwa, Deraniyagala, Yatiyantota, Bulathkohupitiya and Warakapola in Kegalle District; and Kurunegala Divisional Secretariat Division in Kurunegala District. Additional Level Two warnings have been issued for Kotmale East and West in Nuwara Eliya District and Nivithigala, Kiriella, Balangoda, Godakawela, Eheliyagoda and Kalawana in Ratnapura District. Level One landslide warnings remain active in several other Divisional Secretariat divisions across the districts of Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. The Irrigation Department says the Kalu Ganga, Nilwala Ganga and Attanagalu Oya are currently at minor flood levels. The Kalu Ganga has reached minor flood levels at Ratnapura and Millakanda, while the Nilwala Ganga has reached a similar status at Panadugama. The Attanagalu Oya is also flowing at minor flood level near Dunamale. In addition, the Kelani, Gin, Maha Oya and Deduru Oya rivers remain at flood-risk levels, according to Director of the Hydrology Division, Engineer L.S. Sooriyabandara. Heavy rainfall has also pushed 30 tanks and reservoirs into spill level. The Irrigation Department said major reservoirs including Deduru Oya, Rajanganaya, Thabbowa, Inginimitiya and Kala Wewa are currently overflowing. With the severe weather expected to continue, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools across Sri Lanka today. Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne said the practical examinations for the Aesthetic Studies subject of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination will proceed as scheduled. All pre-schools across the island have also been ordered closed today. Meanwhile, the public has been urged to contact 117 or the National Disaster Relief Services Centre hotline on 071 680 7807 during any emergency situation. Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara said operations rooms at all three Tri-Forces headquarters have been activated and are on standby to respond immediately to any disaster situation that may arise as the country remains on alert over the evolving weather emergency.