October 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is facing a mounting weather emergency as persistent heavy rain continues to affect communities across the island, leaving thousands of people in distress, damaging homes and raising fears of floods and landslides. With conditions remaining unsettled, authorities have stepped up preparedness measures, opened temporary shelters and ordered schools to remain closed nationwide.
Figures released by the Disaster Management Centre indicate that 12,032 people from 3,162 families have been affected across 12 districts: Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kalutara, Ampara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Mannar and Trincomalee. Of those affected, 304 people are currently staying at eight designated safety centres after leaving their homes.
The adverse weather has also claimed a life. A 56-year-old man died in a drowning incident in Madampe, in Puttalam District. Since 23 October, officials have recorded partial damage to 227 houses, while two homes have been completely destroyed.
Weather officials have warned that the downpours affecting the country’s south-western regions are likely to persist. The developing situation has been linked partly to Cyclone Arnab, which has strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
At 2.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 27 October, the cyclone was positioned around 890 kilometres north-east of Kankesanthurai. Forecasts indicate that it will continue moving west-north-west until later today before reaching India’s Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning.
Although the storm is not expected to cross Sri Lanka directly, meteorologists say the circulation drawing air towards the system is contributing to the island’s continuing wet weather. Intermittent showers are forecast across the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North Western Provinces, together with Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.
The authorities have also cautioned fishing communities and naval personnel against venturing into the Bay of Bengal, covering both deep and shallow waters, until further notice.
Rainfall measurements underline the severity of the conditions in the north. Pooneryn, in Kilinochchi District, recorded 163 millimetres during the 24 hours ending at 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Iluppaikkadavai in Mannar received 148 millimetres, while Tholpuram and Meesalai in Jaffna recorded 110 millimetres and 101 millimetres respectively.
Landslide threats prompt urgent warnings
With saturated ground increasing the possibility of slope failures, red-level landslide evacuation notices have been issued for several administrative divisions in Ratnapura, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya districts.
In Ratnapura, the areas under the highest level of alert include Ratnapura, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Elapatha and Opanayake. Bulathsinhala and Dodangoda in Kalutara, along with Ambagamuwa Korale and Norwood in Nuwara Eliya, are also covered by red notices.
Level Two warnings have been issued across a wider area, including Attanagalla in Gampaha; several divisions in Kalutara and Kandy; and multiple administrative areas throughout Kegalle and Kurunegala. Further alerts cover Kotmale East and Kotmale West in Nuwara Eliya, as well as Nivithigala, Kiriella, Balangoda, Godakawela, Eheliyagoda and Kalawana in Ratnapura.
Lower-level, Level One alerts remain in effect in a number of other divisions across Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. Residents in vulnerable locations have been urged to remain vigilant and follow instructions from disaster management officials, particularly if they notice cracks in the ground, unusual water flows or signs of slope instability.
Rivers and reservoirs under pressure
The latest hydrological assessments indicate that several waterways have reached minor flood levels. The Kalu Ganga is at this level around Ratnapura and Millakanda, while the Nilwala Ganga has reached a similar state at Panadugama. The Attanagalu Oya is also experiencing minor flooding near Dunamale.
Meanwhile, the Kelani, Gin, Maha Oya and Deduru Oya rivers remain under flood-risk monitoring, according to L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of the Irrigation Department’s Hydrology Division.
Continued rainfall has also pushed 30 tanks and reservoirs to spill level. Among the major facilities reported to be overflowing are Deduru Oya, Rajanganaya, Thabbowa, Inginimitiya and Kala Wewa. Authorities are monitoring water levels as additional rainfall could place further pressure on river systems and low-lying communities.
Schools shut as emergency services prepare
In response to the worsening weather, the Government has ordered the closure of all schools across Sri Lanka for Tuesday. Pre-schools have also been directed to suspend operations for the day.
Deputy Minister of Education Dr Madhura Seneviratne has confirmed, however, that the practical examinations in Aesthetic Studies for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination will go ahead according to the existing timetable.
Emergency response arrangements have been strengthened as the country braces for further disruption. Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara said operations rooms at the headquarters of all three armed services had been activated and placed on standby to respond promptly to incidents arising from the severe weather.
Members of the public requiring urgent assistance have been advised to contact the Disaster Management Centre on 117 or the National Disaster Relief Services Centre on 071 680 7807.
With heavy rain, rising waterways and landslide threats affecting multiple regions simultaneously, officials continue to urge the public to take warnings seriously, avoid flooded roads and vulnerable slopes, and follow directions issued by the relevant authorities as the situation develops.
