September 20, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has revised its landslide early warning system, placing a number of areas across several districts under Level 1 and Level 2 advisories amid continuing wet weather.
The updated warnings will be in force from 10.00am today (20) until 10.00am tomorrow (21), covering a 24-hour period.
Under the Level 2 warning, classified as an ‘Alert’, residents in the following Divisional Secretariat divisions have been advised to remain particularly cautious:
- Galle District: Nagoda and Neluwa.
- Kandy District: Pasbage Korale and Ganga Ihala Korale.
- Kegalle District: Yatiyantota, Dehiowita and Deraniyagala.
- Matara District: Pitabeddara.
- Nuwara Eliya District: Kotmale and Kotmale East.
- Ratnapura District: Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Nivithigala and Eheliyagoda.
- Kalutara District: Palindanuwara, Walallavita, Agalawatta and Bulathsinhala.
A Level 1 warning, categorised as ‘Remain Vigilant’, has also been issued for several other areas.
These include the following Divisional Secretariat divisions:
- Colombo District: Seethawaka.
- Kalutara District: Ingiriya.
- Kegalle District: Ruwanwella, Warakapola, Aranayake and Bulathkohupitiya.
- Matara District: Kotapola and Akuressa.
- Ratnapura District: Kiriella and Kalawana.
- Galle District: Thawalama.
The NBRO’s latest advisory covers a broad area of the country’s wet zone and central highlands, where prolonged rainfall can increase the possibility of slope instability and landslides.
Residents in areas covered by both levels of warning are advised to remain alert to any changes in the condition of slopes and surrounding terrain and to pay close attention to further instructions issued by the authorities.
The public is also encouraged to monitor official updates, particularly if heavy rainfall continues, as the warning levels and affected areas may be revised depending on changing ground and weather conditions.
The current warnings are scheduled to remain valid until 10.00am tomorrow (21).
