WEATHER ALERT: Warnings issued for landslides and heavy rainfall

The Level 02 Alert was issued for the Yakkalamulla, Elpitiya, Nagoda, Neluwa, Baddegama, Niyagama, and Thawalama Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Galle Districts.

The Level 02 Alert was also issued for the Bulathsinhala, Mathugama, Ingiriya, Walallawita, Agalawatta, Dodangoda, Palindanuwara, and Horana Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kalutara District.

The announcement by the NBRO also added that people who live in other Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Kalutara, Beruwala, Millaniya, Madurawala, and Panadura should be vigilant in cutting failures in Kalutara District.

Special attention will be required for all mountainous areas, manmade cut slopes, and roads within the relevant DS divisions, it added.

The NBRO issues a Level 02 Amber Alert when the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100mm and if the rain continues.

Therefore, it is important to be on alert for the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures, and ground subsidence as well as the need to evacuate to safe locations if the need arises.

Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said people living on the banks of these rivers must pay extra attention to flash floods and urged the people to follow the instructions given by the DMC.

According to the Irrigation Department, water levels of the Kukule Ganga and Kuda Ganga are rising following heavy rains experienced in the Kalu Ganga river basin areas.

Flood warnings were issued for multiple areas including Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Millaniya, and Horana, said the Irrigation Department.

The prevailing showery condition in the South-Western parts of the country, particularly in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and Central Provinces will experience over 200 mm of heavy rainfall.