An emergency situation has been declared in the Kandy District with effect from yesterday (21) due to the prevailing inclement weather, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta said.

He stated that the Ududumbara area has been the worst affected by the heavy rains, with several landslides and incidents of flooding reported.

Two persons have gone missing in the Mahawela Grama Niladhari Division in Ududumbara, while several houses in the Gangoda Grama Niladhari Division have been affected by landslides. The District Secretary said that three bodies were recovered from the area during a joint operation conducted by the Army and the Police. Two others are reported missing.

Around 100 families have been relocated to seven safe centres in the affected area. The District Secretary added that 17 safe centres are currently in operation across several Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kandy District.

Following a meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee, a decision has been taken to close the stretch of the Kandy–Mahiyanganaya Road from Kandy to Hasalaka at the 18-Bend section until further notice.

Meanwhile, police have also closed the Peradeniya–Guhagoda Road near the Seema Malakaya after renewed landslide activity at a location previously affected during Cyclone Dithva, resulting in rocks falling onto the roadway.