Severe weather causes deaths & chaos

Severe weather that has brought torrential rains has affected several areas in the island. About 12 to 15 deaths have been reported and several others have disappeared say reports. 

In Kalutara District, according to unconfirmed reports, 9 or 12 deaths have been reported from Agalawatta, Bulathsinhala, Matugama and Welipanna areas while 2 deaths have been reported from Malabe. 

According to reports 5 or more people have been killed at Agalawatta due to an earth slip. At Ambagahakanda area at Bulathsinhala members of two families are missing when an earth slip occurred due to torrential rains say police. Another resident in the area has disappeared say police.  The police have not received a boat to go to the area say reports. 

At Pothuarama area at Malabe a couple has been killed when a wall collapsed on their house.
Meanwhile, disasters have been reported from several areas in the island. Several main roads as well as byroads in Colombo, Kalutara and Galle districts have gone under water while Welipanna exit and entrance point on Southern Expressway has been closed.

A large number of people have been confined to their houses due to surrounding areas going under water. 

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rains over 100 milliliters to Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura Districts during the next 24 hours.