• Residents blame unregulated development activities, unauthorised constructions, lack of proper cleaning/maintenance of drainage systems 
• 14 maj. tanks overflowing in NCP/NWP, river basins’ flood warnings remain, downstream residents urged vigilance 
• Level 2 landslide warnings to 5 districts 
• 3 dead due to drownings/landslide, 700+ from 180 fams. in 6 districts affected, 152 houses damaged

Several roads in the Galle City have been inundated due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, causing severe disruption to transportation. The Galle-Baddegama Main Road is submerged in Thalapitiya, Beligaha, and Kahaduwawatta. 

The Galle-Kithulampitiya Road is also flooded in the Moragoda area due to the overflow of the Moragoda Canal.

Residents have stated that unregulated development activities, unauthorised constructions and the lack of proper cleaning and maintenance of the drainage systems have contributed to the flooding. Although the authorities have been informed about the issue on multiple occasions, no solution has been provided so far, the residents stated. The residents also point out that these areas tend to flood even during light rain.

Heavy traffic congestion has also been reported along several roads in Colombo due to the prevailing heavy rains. It is reported that several roads are inundated due to rains, resulting in severe traffic congestion.

Hence, the Police have requested motorists to exercise caution amidst heavy showers.

The prevailing low-level atmospheric disturbance located to the east of Sri Lanka has intensified into a low pressure area, according to the Department of Meteorology. This system is developing further and is likely to move west-northwestwards near Sri Lanka. Under the influence of this system, cloudy skies are expected over most parts of the island. 

Due to the influence of this system, very heavy rainfall exceeding 150 millimetres (mm) is likely in some areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, NW, Southern, and Northern Provinces, and in the Anuradhapura District. A ‘Red’ alert warning has been issued for heavy rain in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, NW, Southern, and Northern Provinces, and in the Anuradhapura District. Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere over the island after 1 p.m. Heavy rains are expected to continue in the coming days. 

The country has experienced heavy rainfall over the past few days. Therefore, the general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Moreover, 14 major tanks across the country are overflowing due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, the Department of Irrigation said. Irrigation (Water Management) Director H.M.P.S.D. Herath stated that sluice gates at several reservoirs have been opened and hence urged residents living downstream to remain vigilant. He said that the affected reservoirs are located across the North-Central (NC) and NW Provinces. 

The flood warnings issued for residents of the low-lying areas of the Maha Oya and Deduru Oya River basins remain in effect. The Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management), L.S. Sooriyabandara stated that due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, water levels in several river basins have risen significantly. He further noted that Baddegama and the surrounding areas have received considerable rainfall, with Baddegama recording the highest rainfall at 172 mm. Sooriyabandara also said that significant rainfall is being recorded in areas around the Attanagalu Oya, the Kirindi Oya, and the Kalu and Kelani Rivers. 

Accordingly, he warned that rainfall may continue to increase in the Kelani, Kalu, Gin, Attanagalu, and Nilwala River basins and that disaster situations may arise in the low-lying areas of these regions. A significant rise in the water levels has also been recorded in the Kirindi Oya and the Lunugamvehera Reservoirs, he added.

Elsewhere, Level Two landslide warnings have been issued to residents of multiple areas in five districts owing to incessant rains experienced in parts of the island. Accordingly, the landslide warnings issued by the National Building Research Organisation will be in effect from 5 a.m. yesterday (21) to 5 p.m. today (22).

Furthermore, three individuals have died due to disasters caused by the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting various parts of the island, the Disaster Management Centre stated. The incidents have been reported from Peradeniya, Ruwanwella, and Thambuththegama. In Thambuththegama, Anuradhapura, an individual died on 19 October after being swept away by a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall in the area. In Peradeniya, a 72-year-old man died after being buried under a landslide. The incident occurred while he was walking near a canal, when a nearby earth embankment collapsed on him. In Ruwanwella, a 54-year-old man drowned after falling into a canal while attempting to cross it using a footbridge during heavy rainfall. Over 700 individuals from 180 families across six districts have been affected by flooding, heavy rains and gusty winds. Those affected are from the Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Galle, Badulla, Kalutara and Kegalle Districts. 

A total of 152 houses have been damaged owing to the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the country. A house in Dodangoda, Kalutara has also been destroyed owing to heavy rains.