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Heavy downpours compounded by unauthorised structures, clogged drains flood upcountry
View(s):Torrential rains once again caused floods in upcountry areas of Hatton-Dickoya, as authorities blame the city’s increasing unauthorised constructions, while residents blame the authority’s failure to clear the clogged drainage system. People of the area were out on the streets protesting over problems they faced during floods, as their houses went under water, damaging their belongings. Villagers from this area were sheltered in IDP camps.
A complaint was lodged against the Urban Council (UC) Chairman and the case taken up before the Hatton Magistrate. The Magistrate issued notice on the UC Chairman to clear the drains and remove unauthorised buildings, and ordered the submission of a written document to courts on September 10. Hatton-Dickoya UC Chairman Alagamuttu Nandakumar said that unauthorised constructions had been put up five years before he became Chairman, and that, plans are afoot to dismantle unauthorised constructions in the city.
According to the Chairman, flooding is due to Hatton Estate Lake filling with silt.
“I made many attempts to explain the issue to the Government Agent (GA) of Nuwara Eliya and Assistant GA of Ginigathena, but no action was taken,” he said. The Chairman added that 30 families were affected by the floods from the Hatton-Dickoya area.
“We collected money and divided it among the 40 affected families at Rs 5,000 each, but Government authorities only gave Rs 1,500 each,” he said.
Last week, the Hatton-Dickoya area received 120 mm of rain, affecting some 504 families with high winds and floods in the Ambagamuva Pradeshiya Sabha in Rozella, according to the Disaster Management Centre. Attempts made to contact the Nuwara Eliya GA D.P.G Kumarasiri were unsuccessful.
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