A major landslide within a secion of a private estate in Gartmore, within the Maskeliya Police Division, has prompted authorities to urgently evacuate residents living in estate housing located above the affected area.
The landslide occurred following heavy showers in the region, causing a large section of the tea estate situated above the Maussakelle Reservoir to collapse.
Meanwhile, the main access road to the estate has also been completely blocked by earth and rocks, leaving residents without an alternative route to enter or leave the area.
The Maskeliya Officer-in-Charge, Chief Inspector Sarath Pushpakumara said estate management had been instructed to immediately move families living in houses at risk to safer locations.
The National Building Research Institute (NBRI) has also been informed and is expected to carry out further inspections and monitoring of the affected area.
