Landslide warnings issued for 10 districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday said it has extended landslide warnings issued for 10 districts due to rainy weather and they would be in effect until further notice. 

The risk of landslides has increased in several Divisional Secretariats in Galle, Matara, Matale, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, and Kandy districts, the NBRO said.

Residents in these areas must continue to remain vigilant of landslide risks, the NBRO added.

However, a decrease in the rainfall has been observed yesterday compared to Saturday, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

The water levels of the rivers have returned to normal, he said. He added that nobody has been evacuated to shelters yet.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department forecasts heavy showers in several parts of the country. As the sea areas around the island could turn rough, naval and fishing communities are requested to refrain from going out to sea. On Friday there were warnings that a low depression areas in the Bay of Bengal could develop into a cyclone over the weekend. 

People are further advised to contact the Disaster Management Centre on telephone number 117 to inquire about the disasters.

Meanwhile, power supply in many areas in the Kegalle, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts were disrupted on Saturday due to gale force winds. Many power lines and utility posts have been snapped by the wind. About 45,000 persons have been affected due to power failure.