Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has called an emergency meeting for this morning (7 November) to discuss immediate measures after heavy rain flooded several parts of the city yesterday afternoon.
Balthazaar said Colombo’s drainage system was designed to handle around 30 mm of rainfall, but the city received nearly five times that amount on 6 November.
The mayor expressed regret over the disruption to residents and said the Colombo Municipal Council would work with the relevant state agencies to find immediate solutions.
Representatives of the police, the tri-forces, divisional secretariats, the Governor’s Office, the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and the Urban Development Authority are expected to attend.
The meeting will focus on improving the city’s drainage system and addressing problems with its canals and road infrastructure.
