November 29, Colombo (LNW): Authorities in Colombo have relocated more than 6,000 residents to designated shelters this morning as the Kelani Ganga continues to rise, heightening the threat of widespread flooding across the district.
The Colombo District Secretary confirmed that over 1,200 families had been moved by 9 a.m., with officials working through the night to establish additional safe centres.
Latest situation reports indicate that nearly 100,000 people from more than 25,000 households have been affected in some way by the worsening conditions, with several low-lying communities already experiencing water encroachment.
Emergency services have urged the public to remain alert as conditions are expected to fluctuate throughout the day.
The Irrigation Department has warned that the river is edging closer to a critical stage. Water levels at the Nagalagam Street gauge reached approximately 6.4 feet earlier today—already classified as a major flood threshold.
Engineers say that if the river climbs beyond the 7-foot mark, the situation could escalate rapidly, prompting more evacuations and possible disruptions to essential services. Authorities are monitoring the river around the clock while urging residents in vulnerable areas to be prepared for sudden advisories.
