Central Highlands at risk of Nepal-style flash floods, warns Professor

Glocal
By Editor_1
A woman carrying a child walks near a landslide-affected area in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, in Maspanna on Dec. 13, 2025. former Senior Professor Atula Senaratne of the Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, has warned that the geological and geographical characteristics of several areas in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands created conditions in which major landslides could potentially block rivers and trigger sudden flash floods -Ishara Kodikara/AFP/File

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands could face sudden and devastating natural disasters similar to the recent landslides and flash floods in Nepal, former Senior Professor Atula Senaratne of the Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, has warned.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday (28), Senaratne said the geological and geographical characteristics of several areas in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands created conditions in which major landslides could potentially block rivers and trigger sudden flash floods.

Explaining the disaster mechanism observed in Nepal, he said a sudden collapse of glaciers, ice, rock and soil in the northern mountainous region had obstructed river flows and created a massive temporary reservoir.

“When the temporary dam could no longer withstand the pressure of the water, it suddenly burst, triggering a devastating flash flood,” he said.

Senaratne warned similar risks could exist in Sri Lanka, particularly in areas characterized by deep valleys and steep mountain slopes.

He identified Nawalapitiya, Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Wellawaya and Bandarawela among areas where deep valley systems could contribute to such risks.

He said the mountain slopes in these areas contain deep layers of soil as well as geological and structural weaknesses, making them vulnerable to landslides when rainfall exceeds certain thresholds.

According to Senaratne, a major landslide could send large quantities of soil and rock into rivers flowing through the valleys, obstructing their natural flow and creating temporary water bodies.

“If the blockage subsequently gives way under the pressure of accumulated water, a massive volume of water could be released downstream within a short period, resulting in a destructive flash flood,” he warned.

He said the recent events in Nepal should therefore prompt greater attention to potential landslide and flash-flood risks in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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