Flood, landslide warnings issued to several parts of Sri Lanka

ECONOMYNEXT –Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) on Friday (13) issued landslide and flood warnings to several parts of the island due to an increase in rainfall.

Showery conditions over the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts of the island are expected to intensify while wind speeds may increase over the Northern and North-Western provinces and in the Hambantota district, the DMC said.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts. Heavy showers above 100mm can occur in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

“The Irrigation Department has issued warnings and informed the DMC about possible floods if the heavy rains continue mainly in Rathnapura,” DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili issuing a statement said.

“The district disaster management units have informed us that areas in Kahangama, the Ketaliyampala byroad and Batugedara areas have already flooded due to rising water levels,” he said.

Kodippili asked that residents in these areas, especially around the Kalu Ganga (river), be extremely vigilant.

“We have already taken measures to evacuate people in these areas if needed. Disaster management teams are already in place with equipment’s to assist in any disaster. We ask the people in the Rathnapura district, especially around Kalu Ganaga to be ready to evacuate in a moment’s notice if needed,” he said.

According to data issued by the Irrigation Department and reports from district disaster management units, said Kodipillie, there is no sign of rainfall reducing. Therefore water levels will continue to risej, he said.

The hotline for the DMC is 117

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued red warnings of landslides to several areas in the Ratnapura district.

Red notice

Ratnapura –  Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Level two notice

Ratnapura – Eheliyagoda, Ayagama, Elapatha, ↑ Kalawana, ↑ Kolonna and ↑ Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Level one notice

Kalutara – Bulathsinhala and Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Kandy – Ganga Ihala Korale and Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Kegalle – Dehiowita, Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Bulathkohupitiya, Deraniyagala and Ruwanwella Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Matara – Pitabeddara and Kotapola Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Nuwara Eliya – Kotmale, Ambagamuwa and Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Ratnapura – Nivithigala, Kiriella, Imbulpe, Balangoda and Godakawela Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas. (Colombo/ May 13/2022)