Landslide Alerts Issued Across Several Districts As River Water Levels Rise Amid Heavy Rains

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Department of Irrigation says water levels in several rivers are rising due to the prevailing heavy rainfall.

The department said the Mahaweli, Kelani, Kalu, Nilwala and Gin rivers are among those experiencing rising water levels.

The Mahaweli River at Peradeniya remains at minor flood level, while residents living in low-lying areas along the river in Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Peradeniya and Weligalla have been urged to remain highly vigilant.

Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the Kelani River has reached minor flood level at Glencorse.

The Irrigation Department has advised residents living in nearby low-lying areas to remain vigilant.

The Kelani River also remains at flood-risk level in the Holombuwa and Norwood areas.

The Kalu River has reached flood-risk levels at Millakanda, Ratnapura and Magura.

The Gin River has reached flood-risk level in the Thawalama area.

The Nilwala River has reached flood-risk level at Panadugama.

The Department of Irrigation has urged the public to remain highly vigilant in areas affected by rising river levels.

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Red Landslide Warnings for the following Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions:

Galle District: Neluwa
Kalutara District: Walallawita
Kandy District: Pasbage Korale
Kegalle District: Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyantota
Nuwara Eliya District: Norwood, Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa and Kothmale West
Ratnapura District: Ratnapura

Level Two Landslide Warnings have been issued for:

Colombo District: Padukka
Galle District: Nagoda and Thawalama
Kalutara District: Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Ingiriya and Agalawatta
Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale and Udapalatha
Kegalle District: Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella
Matara District: Athuraliya, Kotapola, Akuressa and Pitabeddara
Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Kalawana, Elapatha, Ayagama and Kuruwita
Nuwara Eliya District: Talawakele

Level One Landslide Warnings have been issued for:

Colombo District: Seethawaka
Galle District: Niyagama and Baddegama
Gampaha District: Meerigama and Attanagalla
Kegalle District: Rambukkana
Kurunegala District: Alawwa, Mawathagama, Polgahawela and Mallawapitiya
Matara District: Pasgoda
Ratnapura District: Eheliyagoda, Kahawatta, Kolonna and Imbulpe

The Department of Meteorology says more than 100 mm of rainfall may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The MET Department said a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, Northeast of Sri Lanka, near the Andaman Islands.

Although the system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, rainfall is expected to continue in the southwestern parts of the country due to prevailing wind patterns.

As a result, an advisory has been issued for strong winds and rough seas in the sea areas from Matara to Pottuvil.

Winds in the sea areas off the coast from Matara through Hambantota to Pottuvil may occasionally increase to 50–60 km/h.

Wave heights in the sea areas off the coast from Puttalam to Colombo, Galle and Matara, extending to Pottuvil, may increase to around 2–2.5 metres.

The fishing and maritime communities have been advised to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, a strong lightning advisory has been issued for the Uva and Eastern provinces, as well as the Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa districts.

Strong lightning may occur in these areas, accompanied by thundershowers during the evening or night.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy said that life-saving teams have been deployed in areas affected by minor flooding.