Heavy rain was falling in Aranayake a short while ago, giving rise to the fear of further landslides in the area.

Rescue operations at the landslide site where three villages were buried recently had to be paused due to heavy rain. Aranayake Divisional Secretary said that 144 people were missing and 80 houses were destroyed in the May 17 landslide.

Meanwhile, 79 people of 29 families were evacuated from two other hills in the area due to fears of landslides.