Heavy rains prompt NBRO to issue level 3 warning

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday issued a level 3 warning saying continuous rainfall within the past 24 hours had exceeded 150 mm.

It also warned that if the rains continued, those in risky areas must be evacuated to a safe location to avoid the risk of a landslide.

NBRO’s warning was issued for the Eheliyagoda, Kuruvita, Elapatha and Ratnapura divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Rathnapura District Ambagamuwa divisional secretariat division and surrounding areas in the Nuwara Eliya District Palindanuwara divisional secretariat division and surrounding areas in the Kalutara District Neluwa, Thawalama, Nagoda and Galle Four Gravets divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Galle District. Amidst a heavy downpour, the Navy yesterday deployed 17 emergency teams to identify disaster prone areas in the Kalutara, Galle and Ratnapura districts.  The Disaster Management Centre requested residents in low-lying areas close to the Kalu Ganga, Attangalle Oya and Gin River to be alert over the rising water level. Authorities opened two spill gates of the Laxapana Reservoir with a warning for people downstream to be vigilant. The Meteorological Department said yesterday that Southwest monsoon conditions were getting established over the island. Showers or thundershowers would occur at times in most places within the island. Very heavy rainfall of about 150 mm can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts. Heavy rainfalls above 100 mm can be expected in some places, particularly in the Central and Uva provinces. 

Lightning killed two people on Saturday and electricity was disrupted in some areas as heavy rain was experienced in the country.  The Colombo Gazette, quoting Police, said that two people were struck by lightning at a paddy field in Welikanda. The victims were aged 17 and 33.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Board said that electricity was disrupted in Kegalle, Rambukkana, Matugama and Agalawatte following heavy rain.

At least seven accidents were also reported on the Southern Expressway and the Katunayake Expressway as a result of the poor weather.

Landslide warnings were also issued for several areas while the spill gates of some reservoirs were opened as water levels rose.

Kelani River at spill level

Kelani river is at the spill level, authorities warned last night.

People in Colombo, Kelaniya, Kaduwela, Kollonnawa, Hanwella, Dompe, Biyagama, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita and Deraniyagala have been cautioned.