Colombo, November 28 – The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 56 deaths have been recorded within the past 72 hours as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the island.
According to the DMC, the total number of fatalities reported from 16 November to date has risen to 56, while 21 persons have been reported missing.
The ongoing severe weather conditions across the country have so far affected 43,991 individuals from 12,313 families, according to the DMC.
The DMC further reports that four houses have been completely destroyed, while 666 houses have been reported as partially damaged.
A bus carrying around 70 passengers, which became stranded on the Kalawewa Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road, is reportedly facing rising floodwaters, reaching the waist level of passengers onboard.
A passenger inside the bus told Ada Derana that six people have been rescued so far by a Navy boat.
“No one has come… I called everywhere for about one and a half hours,” the passenger added.
Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera informed Parliament today (28) that the bus has been stuck at the location for approximately one and a half hours.
Several areas in Colombo have also been affected by the adverse weather conditions, police stated.
Issuing a statement, the Police Media Division states that there are reports of fallen trees and flooding on several roads in the Colombo area.
The currently blocked roads include:
Near Lionel Wendt Theatre on Premasiri Khemadasa Mawatha and Keppetipola Mawatha
Near gate 4 of the National Hospital
Elvitigala Mawatha
Queens Road junction
Kotahena Armour Barber junction near the temple
END
