Heavy rain raises river levels, triggers landslide warnings across nine districts

Heavy rain continued to affect several parts of Sri Lanka on Tuesday, with rising river levels, minor flooding, landslide warnings and disruptions to road travel reported across the country.

The Department of Meteorology said showers or thundershowers were expected at times in the Northern Province and Trincomalee District, while rain was forecast over most other parts of the island after 1 p.m.

Heavy falls exceeding 100 mm are possible at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

The public has been advised to take precautions against lightning and temporary strong winds during thundershowers.

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department said water levels were rising in the Kalu, Nilwala, Gin, Walawe and Kuda Ganga rivers as well as the Attanagalu Oya.

Minor flooding has already been reported in Baddegama, Thawalama, Nagoda and Welivitiya-Divithura following rising water levels in the Gin Ganga.

Director of Water Management at the Irrigation Department L.S. Sooriyabandara said rainfall of nearly 160 mm had been recorded at Dellawa in the upper Gin Ganga catchment.

He said water levels in both the Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga had risen significantly, with areas downstream of Akuressa approaching minor flood levels.

Low-lying areas around Thawalama and Baddegama have already experienced minor flooding, while settlements in areas including Nagoda are at risk of inundation.

Water levels in the Kuda Ganga, a tributary of the Kalu Ganga, have also approached minor flood levels, while low-lying areas in Bulathsinhala and Palindanuwara may be affected.

The Attanagalu Oya at Dunamale has also reached minor flood level, the Irrigation Department said.

Meanwhile, around 40 families in the Nugeyaya Grama Niladhari Division have been affected after spill gates at the Alikota Ara reservoir were opened. The Disaster Management Centre said residents had been advised to move to safe centres where necessary.

Road travel has also been disrupted by earth slips. A section of the Ella-Passara road was affected at Mawussagolla, while a similar incident at Kudagama disrupted traffic on the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya main road.

The National Building Research Organisation has issued landslide warnings for nine districts.

Amber-level warnings are in force for Passara in Badulla; Nagoda in Galle; Deraniyagala and Dehiowita in Kegalle; Nildandahinna, Walapane and Ambagamuwa Korale in Nuwara Eliya; Ududumbara in Kandy; and Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama and Weligepola in Ratnapura.

Yellow-level warnings have also been issued for a number of areas in the Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala and Ratnapura districts.

Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain alert for landslides, earth slips and falling rocks as heavy rain continues.