Adverse Weather Continues: Red Landslide Alerts in Effect

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of showers may occur in the Uva province and in Ampara, Batticaloa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts.

The department added that fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills and North-western province and in Ampara, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.

Meanwhile, according to the Met Department, winds will be north-easterly. Wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50-55 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Balapitiya to Mannar via Colombo, Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

The Department also stated that the sea areas off the coast extending from Balapitiya to Mannar via Colombo, Puttalam and from Matara to Batticaloa via Hambantota will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate.

Meanwhile, the Red Alert landslide evacuation warnings issued for several areas in the Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts, still remain in effect.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said that Red Alert landslide evacuation warnings have been issued for the Medadumbara, Ududumbara, and Minipe Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Kandy District, and for the Hanguranketha, Mathurata, and Walapane Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation reports that 88 reservoirs across the country are currently spilling.

Director of the Hydrology Unit of the Department of Irrigation, L.S. Sooriyabandara, said that 52 of these are medium-scale reservoirs.

Additionally, the Water Management Secretariat stated that the Mahaweli Authority–managed Kandalama, Kala Wewa, and Maduru Oya reservoirs are also spilling.

Director Engineer Nilantha Dhanapala assured that the release of water from these reservoirs will not pose a threat to the public.

He further confirmed that the spill gates of the Ulhitiya and Moragahakanda reservoirs have also been opened.