Over 30,000 landslide-prone locations identified as heavy rain continues

More than 30,000 locations across Sri Lanka have been identified as highly vulnerable to landslides as heavy rain continues, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Senior Geologist Dr Wasantha Senadheera said.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Senadheera said the NBRO had issued 25 updates to landslide early warnings since 3 October.

He said many areas were already showing initial signs of instability following the earlier Ditwah weather event. In some locations, rocks and layers of soil remained temporarily lodged on slopes and could be washed away by continuing rainfall.

Senadheera warned that even relatively light rainfall could trigger instability because of the amount of rain received over the past several days.

People living in vulnerable areas have therefore been urged to remain vigilant and move to safer locations when advised by the authorities.

Following rainfall on Wednesday, Level Two landslide warnings were issued for Udapalatha, Medadumbara and Kundasale in the Kandy District; Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya District; and Ratnapura, Elapatha and Kuruwita in the Ratnapura District.

Senadheera said the warnings could be revised depending on further rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department warned that water levels in the Kala Oya were approaching spill level following significant rain in the upper and middle catchment areas.

Low-lying areas in Rajanganaya, Nochchiyagama, Wanathawilluwa and Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretariat divisions face a risk of flooding.

More than 13,200 cubic feet of water per second is currently being released into the Kala Oya through the spill gates of the Rajanganaya Reservoir. The Irrigation Department said the discharge could increase depending on inflows to the reservoir.

Residents, motorists and passengers in the affected areas have been urged to remain alert.

The Department of Meteorology has also issued a severe lightning advisory for the Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and the Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts.

The advisory, issued at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, remains in force until 1.30 a.m. on Friday.

Severe lightning accompanied by thundershowers is expected in some areas during the evening or night, while temporary strong winds are also possible. The public has been advised to take precautions against lightning-related incidents.