Nilwala flood alert: Six DS areas warned

The Irrigation Department Thursday evening issued a flood warning for six Divisional Secretariat areas in the Nilwala River Basin, warning of possible minor flooding in low-lying areas over the next 24 hours following heavy rainfall in the upper and middle catchment areas.

The department said an analysis of prevailing rainfall conditions and water levels recorded at river gauging stations indicated the possibility of minor flooding in the Nilwala River floodplain.

The warning covers the Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Kamburupitiya, Thihagoda and Matara Divisional Secretariat areas.

Residents in the affected areas have been urged to exercise extreme caution, while motorists travelling through the areas have been advised to remain vigilant due to the risk of flooding.

The department also called on disaster management authorities to take necessary precautionary measures to minimise the impact of possible flooding and ensure public safety.