September 20, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Institute (NBRI) has raised its landslide alert to Level 3, or Red, for a number of areas in the Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya districts as heavy rainfall continues to increase the risk of slope failures.
The highest-level warning will remain in force from 2.00pm today (20 September) until 2.00pm tomorrow (21 September).
In Kandy District, the Level 3 alert covers the Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas.
In Kegalle District, the warning applies to the Dehiowita, Aranayaka, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyantota Divisional Secretariat Divisions and nearby areas.
The alert also covers the Kotmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas in Nuwara Eliya District.
At the same time, the NBRI has maintained a Level 2, or Amber, landslide warning for selected locations across eight districts — Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura.
In Colombo District, the Level 2 warning applies to the Padukka Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas.
In Galle District, residents in and around the Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Divisions remain under the amber alert.
The warning in Kalutara District covers the Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas.
In Kandy District, the Ganga Ihala Korale Divisional Secretariat Division and neighbouring areas are also subject to the Level 2 warning.
The Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas in Kegalle District have likewise been placed under the amber alert.
In Matara District, the Akuressa and Pitabeddara Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas remain under Level 2 monitoring.
The Talawakelle Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas in Nuwara Eliya District are also covered by the warning.
In Ratnapura District, the alert extends to the Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama and Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas.
Authorities have called on people living in all areas covered by the warnings to exercise particular caution as rainfall persists. Residents have been advised to watch for early indications of landslides and other signs of ground instability, while closely following safety instructions and evacuation advice issued by local authorities, especially during periods of intense rain.
