6 killed by falling tree branches during inclement weather in Sri Lanka

Vehicles run on a flooded road in Watthala, Sri Lanka, on May 24, 2024. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Six people have died due to falling tree branches triggered by adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka, an official said on Friday.

Director of the Disaster Management Center Pradeep Kodippili told the media that people should be cautious about risky trees and not park their vehicles under them. He said these deaths were reported from Galle, Ratnapura, Puttalam and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

People push a vehicle on a flooded road in Watthala, Sri Lanka, on May 24, 2024. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

He said 1,246 houses had been damaged and 34,880 people were affected by the adverse weather conditions.

Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology said a cyclonic storm is developing over the east-central Bay of Bengal and will likely intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

According to the department, very strong winds (60-70 kmph), accompanied by heavy rainfalls and very rough seas, are likely over the sea areas around the country and over the southeastern Arabian Sea areas and Bay of Bengal. ■