Torrential rains affect 6 districts

• Heavy shower advisories to 4 provinces and 3 districts 
• 222 people from 55 families hit by adverse weather 
• DMC warns of low-level atmospheric disturbance 
• Water levels of Kalu, Kuda, Gin, Nilwala rivers on the rise
• NBRO issues landslide warnings to 8 districts

The Disaster Management Centre yesterday said a total of six districts in five provinces were affected by heavy rains, while 222 people from 55 families were impacted by the torrential rains prevailing over Sri Lanka.

It warned that the low-level atmospheric disturbance persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka. 

An advisory on heavy rains was also issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle, and Matara districts.

It also warned of possible heavy showers of around 100 mm at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northwestern, and Northern provinces.

As per the latest situational update, Sabaragamuwa province was most affected by the heavy showers as 28 families and 109 people were affected, followed by UVA province where 14 families and 70 people were affected, and North Central province where 10 families and 32 people were affected. Eastern and Northwestern provinces were also affected by adverse weather conditions.

The DMC called on the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by

temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

It also said water levels of Kalu and Kuda rivers in Ratnapura as well as the Gin river in Baddegama due to heavy showers have been rising and thus alerts were issued. DMC cautioned that the water levels of rivers can increase at short notice owing to heavy rains.

The Irrigation Department also warned of possible flooding in low-lying areas along the banks of the Kalu, Gin, and Nilwala rivers due to the inclement weather experienced countrywide.

Separately, the National Building Research Organisation issued landslide warnings for eight districts including; Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Kegalle, and Ratnapura.

NBRO issued a red alert which stands for ‘evacuation’ for people in Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Ratnapura Divisional Secretariats, whilst amber warnings were issued to Galle, Katutara, Kegalle, and yellow alerts were issued for Colombo, Kandy, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya.