Landslide early warning for 6 districts extended as heavy rains prevail

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide early warnings issued to a total of 06 districts – Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara and Nuwara Eliya.

Level 3 (Red) warning is issued to Kalawana, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura divisional secretariat divisions in Ratnapura District for a period of 24 hours until 5.00 p.m. tomorrow (May 16).

Residents of the aforementioned areas are urged to evacuate to safe locations to avoid the risk of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence, if the rainfall prevails.

Meanwhile, Level 2 (Amber) warning is effective in Kalutara and Ratnapura districts for a period of 24 hours until 5.00 p.m. tomorrow.

• Kalutara District – Bulathsinhala
• Ratnapura District – Kuruwita, Eheliyagoda, Kolonna, Ayagama and Elapatha

People living in the aforementioned areas are advised to be on alert about the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence and to evacuate to safe locations if the need arises.

Further, Level 1 (Yellow) warning was issued to the following areas for possible landslides:

• Kalutara District – Ingiriya, Walallawita and Palindanuwara
• Kandy District – Pasbage Korale and Ganga Ihala Korale
• Kegalle District – Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota, Dehiowita, Bulathkohupitiya and Aranayake
• Matara District –Kotapola and Pitabeddara
• Nuwara Eliya District – Nuwara Eliya, Ambangamuwa and Kotmale
• Ratnapura District – Opanayake

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said several rivers have reached flood levels due to the heavy rainfall that prevailed over the past few days.

The Department of Meteorology, in a weather advisory issued earlier today, said showers or thundershowers can be expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces as well as in Galle and Matara districts.

Heavy showers above 100 mm can take place at some places in Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the western slope of the central hills, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in
Hambantota district.