October 20, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has confirmed that landslide warnings issued across eight districts in Sri Lanka will remain active due to persistent heavy rainfall in recent days.
Communities in Colombo, Galle, Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura have been urged to exercise extreme caution, particularly those residing in landslide-prone areas.
According to Dr Wasantha Senadeera, Senior Geologist at the NBRO, rainfall ranging from 100 to 200 millimetres has been recorded in several highland regions—levels significant enough to destabilise slopes. He added that even minimal rainfall in the coming hours could be sufficient to trigger dangerous ground movement or landslides, especially in already saturated areas.
Residents living on hillsides, near steep slopes, or along riverbanks have been strongly advised to remain alert to changes in the environment—such as cracks in the ground, tilting trees, or unusual water seepage.
Dr Senadeera further stressed that people in at-risk zones should be prepared to evacuate to safer ground immediately if rainfall continues without interruption.
