People in Bandarawela and Ella divisional secretariat areas are already suffering due to the underground tunnel that has been dug in the project, he notes.

A major pre-disaster management programme should be carried out to prevent them from getting buried alive, says Tennakoon.

The National Building Research Organization has identified as being landslide prone two locations at Dikawara on Badulla-Bandarawela road that runs along a deep slope and a valley.

Also, there are two clefts from there stretching towards Dikarawa Oya on one side and a mountain on the other.

Of the 158 families living in the area, eight have already been evicted.

However, no study has so far been carried out with regard to the houses there worst-affected by the project.

Raising awareness among area residents is essential before the rains start, he advises.