Landslide warnings issued for several districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has requested people in several districts in the southwest to be cautious of landslides due to the torrential rains.

The NBRO has warned of potential risk of landslides if the rain continues for the next 24 hours in districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle and Matara Districts. All mountainous areas, manmade cut slopes and roads within the district are at risk.

According to the NBRO, landslide prone areas in Ratnapura district include Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Eheliyagoda, Kiriella & lyagama divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas. Special Attention should be paid on Ratnapura Wewalwatta Road.

In Kalutara district, Agalawatta, Palindanuwara, Walallawita & Bulathsinhala divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas are at risk while in Galle district Yakkalamulla, Elpitiya & Neluwa divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas need to be watched. Kotapola & Pitabeddara divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas are at potential landslide risk in Matara district.

The NBRO requested the people living in those vulnerable areas to be extra vigilant and should be ready to move into safe places if heavy rains continue.

Meanwhile irrigation engineer in Galle Mrs. Chamila Weerakkody says heavy rains have been experienced since this morning in the upper catchment areas of Gin Ganga and the Gin Ganga is rising rapidly. All tributaries of the Gin Ganga are now overflowing causing threat of minor floods. People living in low lying areas of the Bentara and Madu Ganga river banks should be vigilant, the state radio announced.

The prevailing bad weather conditions in the southwest of the island are expected to continue within next 24 hours, according to the Meteorology Department.  Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Southern, Central, Western, North-western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Mannar district. Fairly heavy falls (about 75-100 mm) can be expected at some places.