• Those at sea told to return or seek safe harbour 
• Red landslide evac warning to areas in Kandy, N’Eliya 
• 1 lane opened on Kandy-Col. main rd. near Lower Kadugannawa, upcountry line trains restricted 
• Red flood warnings issued to Gal Oya downstream and Mahaweli River Basin, Kataragama residents/pilgrims warned against entering Menik River, part of Wellawaya-Wewelakandura road submerged 

All fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until further notice due to hazardous and adverse weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal region, the Fisheries Department has announced. The Fisheries Ministry further advised all fishing vessel operators currently at sea to return to shore or to move to safe locations and to take all necessary safety precautions.

Additionally, it emphasised that careful attention should be paid to further warnings and advisories issued by the Meteorology Department regarding the situation.

The Department said the low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located south of Sri Lanka at around Tuesday midnight (25) and that it is likely to intensify into a depression during the next 30 hours. Due to the influence of this system, the rainy and windy conditions in the island are expected to enhance for the next few days. The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by strong winds and lightning.

Train services along the upcountry line have been restricted owing to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. Accordingly, the night mail train scheduled to run from the Colombo Fort Station to Badulla will operate only up to the Nanu Oya Station. Furthermore, the night mail train running from Badulla to Colombo will commence the journey from the Nanu Oya Station.

Meanwhile, one lane of the Kandy-Colombo main road near Pahala Kadugannawa has been reopened, the Road Development Authority has announced. The Pahala Kadugannawa section of the Kandy-Colombo main road was completely closed for several days following the landslide that occurred on 22 November. 

Elsewhere, a ‘Level-Three (Red)’ landslide evacuation warning has been issued for multiple areas in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Districts by the National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO). Accordingly, the landslide warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. yesterday (26) to 8 p.m. today (27). The ‘Level-3’ warning has been issued to residents of the Udadumbara Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and the surrounding areas of the Kandy District and the Walapane, Nildandhahinna, Mathurata and the Hanguranketha DSDs and the surrounding areas of the Nuwara Eliya District.

The Irrigation Department has issued a ‘Red’ flood warning for the downstream areas of the Gal Oya. As per the warning, the capacity of the Senanayaka Samudraya Reservoir/Tank in Inginiyagala, Ampara, has reached its peak due to heavy rainfall received in the upper- and middle-catchment areas of the Gal Oya Basin. Furthermore, owing to the intense rainfall recorded over the past 24 hours in the area, the Gal Oya River, downstream of the Samudraya, will be under the risk of major flooding in the event the spill gates are opened. Accordingly, the general public residing in the downstream areas of the Gal Oya River and motorists travelling through these areas are requested to take all necessary precautionary measures to minimise potential risks arising from possible flooding. In particular, residents of low-lying areas and those travelling through the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) have been advised to remain highly vigilant: Damana, Ampara, Eragama, Addalachchenai, Sammanthurai, Nintavur, Karaitivu, Saindamarudu, Kalmunai, and Nawithanveli, as well as low-lying areas in the vicinity of the South Eastern University, Oluvil. The relevant Disaster Management authorities have also requested to take appropriate and necessary actions in this regard. The Department has also issued a warning of a potential flood situation within the next 48 hours in several areas surrounding the Mahaweli River Basin. According to the Department, significant rainfall received since Tuesday night in certain upstream catchment areas has increased the likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River. The areas at risk fall within the DSDs of Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Medirigiriya, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala. The advisory further notes that sections of the Batticaloa–Polonnaruwa Road (particularly in the Gallella area), the access road to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, as well as surrounding areas of the Temple, may experience inundation. Devotees planning to travel to the said Vihara have therefore been requested to refrain from visiting the area over the next few days until further notice is issued. Residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in the aforementioned areas are urged to remain highly vigilant and to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety in light of possible flood conditions. The Department has also called on the relevant Disaster Management authorities to initiate appropriate preparedness and response measures.

The spill gates of the Weheragala reservoir have been opened following heavy rainfall in the Monaragala District. The Assistant Director of the Monaragala District Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Ravindra Kumara stated that two spill gates have been opened by one foot each and four additional gates have been opened by six inches each. Due to the opening of the spill gates, the water level of the Menik Ganga has reached the spill level and pilgrims arriving in Kataragama are advised to remain cautious, the DMC announced. The DMC further requested residents on both sides of the Menik Ganga, as well as pilgrims visiting the Kataragama and Sella Kataragama sites, to refrain from using or entering the River during this period.

Meanwhile, movement of traffic along the Wellawaya–Wewelakandura road has been disrupted due to the opening of the spill gates of the Alikota Ara reservoir in Wellawaya. The water level of the Alikota Ara reservoir has risen rapidly due to the heavy rainfall in Wellawaya. Since the reservoir reached capacity and the spill gates have been opened, part of the Wellawaya–Wewelakandura road has been submerged.

Also, a total of 2,617 individuals from 737 families in 12 Districts have been affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions in the country. At least 10 weather-related deaths have also been reported in the past few days, according to the DMC. Seven others sustained injuries. The DMC, in its latest situation report, noted that three houses have been destroyed while 242 residences have been damaged owing to heavy rains and gusty winds. Additionally, the DMC urged the general public to contact the 117 emergency hotline in the event of any disaster or weather-related emergency.