September 22, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have maintained the highest-level landslide evacuation warnings in 13 Divisional Secretariat divisions spanning six districts, as unsettled weather continues to affect several parts of Sri Lanka.
The National Building Research Institute (NBRI) said landslide warnings remain active in 10 districts, with Level 3 red evacuation alerts continuing in locations where the threat is considered particularly high.
NBRO Senior Scientist Hasali Hemasinghe said the red warnings currently cover Neluwa in Galle District; Walallawita in Kalutara District; Pasbage Korale in Kandy District; Mawanella, Deraniyagala, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota and Dehiowita in Kegalle District; Nuwara Eliya, Kotmale East, Kotmale West and Ambagamuwa in Nuwara Eliya District; and Ratnapura in Ratnapura District.
People living in the affected divisions have been advised to stay alert, pay close attention to instructions issued by the authorities and leave their homes without delay if an evacuation order is given.
The continuing weather system has also affected communities elsewhere on the island. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that 1,616 people belonging to 458 families in 41 Divisional Secretariat divisions across 10 districts have so far been affected by adverse weather.
Weather-related incidents since September 18 have claimed one life, while another person has been reported missing.
In Gampaha District, powerful winds that moved across the Biyagama area last night caused damage to five houses in the Galahitiyawa North Grama Niladhari Division. The local electricity distribution network was also affected.
Twenty-six affected families, comprising 94 people, are currently being sheltered at three safety centres.
The Department of Meteorology has meanwhile cautioned that any temporary easing of rain during the daytime today may not last. Showers are expected to become heavier again during the evening and overnight hours.
Merrill Mendis, Director of the Forecasting Division, said intermittent showers were likely across the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western and North Western provinces, together with the Galle and Matara districts.
Based on the latest available weather data, rainfall could become heavier tomorrow and continue to intensify into the following day.
Authorities have urged residents in areas vulnerable to landslides, as well as people living in low-lying locations and communities close to river basins, to remain especially vigilant. They have also been advised to monitor official weather forecasts and disaster warnings closely as conditions develop.
Meanwhile, water levels in a number of the country’s major rivers remain elevated, with minor flooding already reported in some locations. As rainfall continues, two spill gates at the Polgolla Reservoir and one spill gate at the Kukule Ganga Reservoir have been opened.