• Rains ease today, but another wet spell looms after 6 August
• Major flood warnings issued as Mahaweli, Kelani and Kalu rivers swell
• Schools shut; Peradeniya University suspends classes amid landslide fears
• One dead, dozens rescued as authorities prepare for possible evacuations

Although the current spell of heavy rain is expected to ease by this afternoon (4), another period of rainfall is likely from around 6 August due to changes in wind patterns associated with a developing typhoon over the Pacific Ocean, Meteorology Department Director General Ajith Wijemannage said yesterday (3).

“We expect this atmospheric disturbance to weaken by tomorrow afternoon. After that, rainfall is likely to decrease,” he said. However, he warned that the respite would be short-lived.

“Once that system becomes active around 6 August, wind currents are expected to strengthen. As a result, we expect some rainfall for a few days afterwards, particularly along the western slopes of the Central Highlands. High atmospheric moisture combined with stronger winds resulted in heavy showers across parts of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura.”

“We expected rainfall to be lower than the August average, especially in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. But, it is difficult to forecast September because there is considerable uncertainty,” he said. He explained that changing conditions over the Pacific Ocean, possible atmospheric disturbances over the Bay of Bengal and the transition towards the end of the South-West monsoon all contributed to the uncertainty surrounding September's weather outlook.

“We said that September is uncertain, but we expect rainfall to increase during that period,” Wijemannage said adding that the Department had not specifically forecast significant rainfall for August, although active and inactive phases of the South-West monsoon have occurred during the month in previous years. “There have been occasions in previous years when the South-West monsoon became active during August and brought rain. This year, because we are in an El Niño condition, we did not expect such rainfall,” he said.

However, he said that an unexpected disturbance developed in the middle atmosphere, creating favourable conditions for rain. “Atmospheric moisture levels are high, and stronger winds carried that moisture towards the Central Highlands. That is why the heaviest rainfall was recorded in the Central Highlands. The heaviest showers are experienced in parts of the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura Districts. He said that rain is expected to continue today morning in parts of the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Districts, and the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces.

Speaking further, Wijemannage said the Department is closely monitoring a typhoon that is currently developing south of Japan over the Pacific Ocean. “Once that system becomes active around 6 August, wind currents are expected to strengthen. As a result, we expect some rainfall for a few days after 6 August, particularly along the western slopes of the Central Highlands," he said, and added that the Sabaragamuwa Province and the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Districts are expected to receive the highest amounts of rainfall during that period.

Meanwhile, authorities remain on high alert after between 70 mm and more than 200 mm of rain fell across parts of the island, causing river levels to rise rapidly and prompting flood and landslide warnings across several districts. The Mahaweli, Kelani and Kalu river basins are being closely monitored, with residents in vulnerable downstream areas urged to remain vigilant.

The Irrigation Department warned that a major flood situation could develop within the next 24 to 48 hours in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River following heavy rainfall in the upper catchments and the possibility of additional water releases from the Kotmale Reservoir. Flood warnings have also been issued for sections of the Kelani and Kalu rivers, while water levels in the Nilwala and Gin rivers have also risen, although they remain below flood stage.

Several reservoirs have already begun releasing excess water. Three spill gates at the Upper Kotmale Reservoir opened automatically after heavy rainfall, while additional water releases have also commenced from the Kotmale Gamini Dissanayake and Ambewela reservoirs. Authorities warned residents living downstream to remain alert as river levels continue to rise.

The National Building Research Organisation has meanwhile issued landslide warnings ranging from Level One (Yellow) to Level Three (Red) for several parts of Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura, urging residents in high-risk areas to evacuate immediately if conditions worsen.

The adverse weather has already disrupted daily life across the hill country. Schools in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya remained closed yesterday, while the University of Peradeniya suspended all lectures and examinations after the Mahaweli River rose to dangerous levels. Students able to travel safely were advised to return home.

Emergency teams have also been deployed to several affected districts after flooding, landslides and road closures were reported. One person was killed in Nawalapitiya when an earth embankment collapsed onto a house, while Army personnel rescued 24 families stranded by floodwaters in Kotagala and Ginigathhena. A further 138 people have already been relocated to safer locations as authorities continue monitoring the situation and preparing for further evacuations if necessary.

Officials said the current situation is not expected to reach the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Nevertheless, the Meteorology Department, Disaster Management Centre, Irrigation Department and NBRO have urged the public to remain alert and follow official instructions as further rainfall is forecast later this week.

Major rivers swell; flood warnings widen

Heavy rainfall over the upper catchment areas has caused water levels in several major rivers to rise rapidly, prompting the Irrigation Department to issue flood warnings for vulnerable downstream communities.

Hydrology and Disaster Management Director Eng. L.S. Sooriyabandara said nearly 200 mm of rain had been recorded in parts of the upper Mahaweli Basin, while between 100 mm and 150 mm had fallen in sections of the upper Kelani Basin.

A major flood warning has been issued for low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River, particularly in the Udunuwara, Udapalatha, Yatinuwara, Doluwa, Kothmale, Pasbage, Ganga Ihala Korale, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa and Pathadumbara Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs). Authorities warned that continued rainfall and possible releases from the Kotmale Reservoir could worsen the situation over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The Kelani River has also come under close watch following heavy rainfall in its upper and middle catchments. Major flood warnings have been issued for Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Yatiyanthota, while minor flooding is possible in Dompe, Seethawaka, Homagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama and Kolonnawa.

Meanwhile, low-lying areas along the Kalu River in Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama and Elapatha have been warned of possible minor flooding. Although the Nilwala and Gin rivers have experienced rising water levels, officials said they are not currently expected to overflow, while no flood threat has been identified in the Maha Oya and Attanagalu Oya basins.

Hill country remains at landslide risk

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued landslide warnings ranging from Level One (Yellow) to Level Three (Red) across several parts of the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces as heavy rain continues.

The highest Level Three (Red) evacuation warning has been issued for the Pasbage and Ganga Ihala Korales in Kandy District. Separate Red warnings have also been issued for Yatiyanthota in Kegalle District and Ambagamuwa and Norwood in Nuwara Eliya District.

Level Two (Amber) warnings remain in force for several other high-risk areas, including Ududumbara, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Delthota in Kandy District; Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayaka and Dehiowita in Kegalle District; Kotmale East and West, Norwood and Nuwara Eliya in Nuwara Eliya District; and Opanayaka, Ratnapura and Imbulpe in Ratnapura District.

Level One (Yellow) warnings have been issued for additional areas in Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. The NBRO urged residents to leave immediately if warning signs such as cracks in the ground, leaning trees, tilting electricity poles or unusual sounds are observed, or if heavy rain continues.

Schools, universities temporarily closed

The adverse weather has disrupted education across several parts of the Central Province, forcing schools to close and prompting the University of Peradeniya to suspend all academic activities.

All Government schools in the Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts remained closed yesterday due to the prevailing weather conditions. Education authorities have also authorised principals in the Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Kotmale, Gampola, Teldeniya and Kandy Education Zones to decide whether schools should remain open depending on conditions in their respective areas.

At the University of Peradeniya, all lectures and examinations have been suspended until further notice after the Mahaweli River rose to dangerous levels. Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madhujith advised students who could travel safely to return home, while those unable to do so were permitted to remain in their hostels after informing hostel authorities, with the exception of residents of the Sarasavi Medura Hostel.

The university also reported that floodwaters had inundated the bridge rehabilitation site near the Peradeniya 'Kalu Paalama', submerging heavy machinery and washing away some construction equipment.

One killed as Army rescues stranded families

Emergency response teams remained deployed across several districts yesterday after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides in the hill country.

A 65-year-old man was killed in the Solankanda area of Nawalapitiya when an earth embankment collapsed onto a house, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Authorities also launched search operations after four people were reported missing following an earth mound collapse in Polpitiya, Hatton.

Army personnel from the 56 Infantry Brigade Headquarters rescued 24 families trapped by floodwaters in the Kotagala and Ginigathhena Blackwater areas after the Hatton Oya overflowed. Residents from several nearby estates were moved to safer locations as part of the rescue operation.

The DMC said 138 people from 38 families in Nawalapitiya had already been evacuated and relocated due to the flood threat. The Tri-Forces and Police have been deployed to assist local authorities, while Divisional Secretaries have been instructed to activate village-level disaster management committees and prepare safe centres for further evacuations if necessary.

Roads blocked, rail damaged, water supply disrupted

Heavy rain continued to affect transport and essential services across several parts of the country yesterday.

Vehicular traffic on the Hatton-Colombo main road came to a standstill after multiple earth slips in the Diyagala area blocked the roadway with boulders and debris. The Road Development Authority began clearing operations, while Police advised motorists to use alternative routes.

A landslide also damaged the Watawala Railway Station after an earth embankment collapsed behind the station. One railway employee sustained minor injuries, while Police continued searching for a person believed to have been swept away by the overflowing Hatton Oya.

Floodwaters inundated houses along the Dickoya stream and a tourist hotel in Nawalapitiya, while minor flooding was reported in parts of Kandy town.

Meanwhile, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said water supplies to the Mawanella and Aranayaka areas had been disrupted after heavy rain blocked water intake points supplying the Asupini Ella and Mawanella treatment plants. Water pressure has also been reduced in surrounding areas until normal operations can resume.