Roads closed in Colombo and trains at a halt ....

Consequent to the torrential rain that fell from daytime until evening hours today covering Colombo and adjacent areas such as Delkanda, Pattiya Handiya, some places in Kohuwala, the

Nawala Roundabout and Old Kesbewa Road inclusive of several other areas resulted in flooding these areas with water. Access to the road leading from Horton Place to Rajagiriya was forced to be closed. Even Kynsey Road, R.A. de Mel Mawatha, the Library Roundabout, the Kanatta Roundabout, Barber Street and Shalika Playground and some roads around the place too came under water.

As there was a heavy traffic congestion at Thummulla Bambalapitiya and the surrounding area, those proceeding home after work had to face much inconvenience. Due to the fact that a landslide had taken place on the Kelani Valley Railway track because of this downpour, trains had to be stopped from proceeding beyond Nugegoda. The Department of Meteorology has announced that this downpour had affected the Western, Southern, Central and North Central Provinces. Several roads had come under water in Galle District and as a result the Disaster Management Centre says that it had caused obstructions to transport. Floods had been observed at Neluwa Manane too.

The Meteorological Department says that there is a risk of danger from lightning associated with this inclement weather and has advised the public to take precautions regarding such situations. Apart from this, the announcement by the Meteorological Department further says that there is a probability that the sea beyond the coastal stretch from Mannar to Kankasanthurai, and upto Hambanthota across Trincomalee would from time to time experience rain or rain accompanied by thunder and that seas round the island could develop rain or rain accompanying thunder. Photos of how roads at Nugegoda Junction and Galle area, from below