Heavy rains disrupt transport - Nuwara Eliya-Kandapola main road submerged

Traffic on the Polonnaruwa-Ampara road has been disrupted following the collapse of a bridge in Aralaganwila, according to reports from the area.

In Dambulla, two sluice gates of the Dambulu Oya reservoir have been opened due to heavy rains. The reservoir's engineer reported that 5,000 cubic feet of water per second is being released into Dambulla Oya, which flows into Kala Wewa and Balalu Wewa.

The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning for low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River and Heda Oya, predicting potential flooding within the next 48 hours due to ongoing rains.

Road travel in Ampara, Monaragala, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale districts has been affected, with several routes rendered impassable. In the upland areas, train services are now restricted to Nanu Oya Railway Station due to collapsed sand dunes blocking the tracks.

The Nuwara Eliya-Kandapola main road is submerged, and parts of Nuwara Eliya city, including the racecourse and Victoria Park, have experienced flooding, according to the Disaster Management Center.