Heavy rain, flood and landslide warnings issued as southwest monsoon intensifies
COLOMBO – Weather authorities in Sri Lanka on Monday (3) issued a series of rain, flood and landslide warnings as the active southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across much of the country.
The Met Department issued an Amber warning for heavy rainfall in the Sabaragamuwa Province and the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, effective until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday (4).
The Department said rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely in several areas, while showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and Southern Provinces. Several spells of rain are also forecast for the Western, North Western and North Central Provinces, with isolated afternoon showers possible in the Mullaitivu District.
Strong winds of 40-50 km/h are also expected at times over the North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North Western Provinces.
The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds, lightning and localized flooding.
Flood warnings extended
The Irrigation Department extended its Level 1 flood warning for the Kelani River Basin by a further 48 hours, until 11:30 a.m. Wednesday (5), due to continuing rainfall.
Residents in low-lying areas along the Kelani River have been urged to remain vigilant, while motorists using roads in flood-prone areas have been advised to exercise caution.
The department has also issued a flood advisory for low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River, warning of possible flooding over the next 24 hours.
The advisory applies to the Divisional Secretariat areas of Udunuwara, Udapalatha, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale and Gangawata Korale, and remains in effect until 12: 30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Red landslide warnings in three districts
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued Level 3 (Red/Evacuation) landslide warnings for Pasbage Korale and Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy District. Level 2 (Amber) landslide warnings are already in effect for Ududumbara and Udapalatha in Kandy; Yatiyantota and Aranayake in Kegalle; Ambagamuwa, Norwood, Nuwara Eliya, Kotmale East and Kotmale West in Nuwara Eliya; and Opanayake, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura District.
Level 1 (Yellow) warnings have also been issued for Panwila and Medadumbara in Kandy; Deraniyagala and Dehiowita in Kegalle; and Nivithigala and Kuruwita in Ratnapura.
The warnings remain valid until 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
The NBRO urged residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately if continuous heavy rain, earth cracks, slope failures or other signs of landslide activity are observed.
Schools closed, Peradeniya students warned
The adverse weather has also disrupted education in the hill country.
All schools in the Nuwara Eliya and Hatton Education Zones were closed on Monday, while principals in the Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Kotmale, Gampola, Teldeniya and Kandy education zones were instructed to decide whether schools should remain open depending on local weather conditions.
At the University of Peradeniya, Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madhujith issued a special advisory urging students, particularly those living in hostels near the Mahaweli River, to remain on high alert as river levels continue to rise.
Heavy rainfall has already inundated the bridge rehabilitation site near the Peradeniya ‘Kalu Palama’, submerging heavy machinery and washing away construction materials, according to reports.
Authorities have urged the public to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel to high-risk areas and follow instructions issued by disaster management and emergency response agencies as wet weather is expected to continue over the coming days.
-ENCL
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