- Over 100 mm rainfall possible in several areas
- Red landslide warning for Kandy, Kegalle, N’Eliya
- Fairly strong winds of around 30–40 kmph
Heavy rainfall, landslides and possible flooding are expected to continue affecting several parts of the country today (21), with some areas likely to receive more than 100 mm of rain, the Department of Meteorology warned.
The Department said a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Sri Lanka near the Andaman region. Although the system is not expected to directly affect the island, prevailing winds towards it are expected to maintain rainy conditions, particularly over the south-western parts of the country.
Showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, with heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm possible at some locations.
Several spells of showers are also expected in the North-Central Province and Mannar District, while showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the Uva Province and in Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2 p.m.
The Department also warned of fairly strong winds of around 30–40 kmph at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in the Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale districts. The public was urged to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.
The heavy rain has already triggered weather-related incidents in several areas.
A 44-year-old man died after falling into the Ritigaha Oya near Polkotuwa Junction on the Avissawella–Bulathkohupitiya road, as water levels rose rapidly following heavy rain yesterday (20). His body was later recovered from a water-filled pit downstream.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Institute (NBRI) issued a Level 3 (Red) landslide warning for parts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya districts until 2 p.m. today.
The warning covers Pasbage Korale in Kandy; Dehiowita, Aranayaka, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in Kegalle; and Kotmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in Nuwara Eliya.
A Level 2 (Amber) warning remains in force for selected areas of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts.
A large landslide also blocked the Hatton–Bogawantalawa–Maskeliya–Balangoda road in the Dickoya, Wanaraja Estate area yesterday morning. Police and residents began clearing the debris, while the Road Development Authority was informed to deploy machinery. Authorities warned of further earth slips.
The Irrigation Department meanwhile warned of possible minor flooding in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River in the Pasbage Korale area following intense rainfall in the upper catchment.
The highest rainfall recorded yesterday was 103.5 mm at Maliboda in Kegalle, while 93.5 mm was recorded at Delwala Tea Factory in Galle, 87.5 mm at Gurudiyapotha Tea Factory and 83 mm at Naboda in Kalutara.
PHOTO: Kasun Liyadipita