A flood situation has been reported in certain areas of Ratnapura due to the rapid rise in the water level of the Kalu Ganga.
The water level of the Kalu Ganga has reportedly reached the 07m level at the Pulungupitiya Gauging Station. As a result, the Alupotha, Ratnapura main bus route has been flooded in the Athoya area, disrupting traffic movement. It is reported that many byroads in that area connected to the main roads are also inundated, with houses in the vicinity at risk.
Residents fear that if the water level reaches the 07 limit, severe flooding will occur in the area.
The Irrigation Department said that the water level of the Mahaweli Ganga has risen due to heavy rains in the Central hills.
Its Director of Hydrology and Disaster Management, Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said that due to the high water levels in the upper areas and tributaries of the Mahaweli Ganga, crossing the tributaries and swimming would be dangerous.
Meanwhile, the water levels of the Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Nilwala Ganga have risen.
The Irrigation Department said that people should be more careful as the water levels of the rivers could rise unexpectedly, due to heavy rains.
Further, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued early landslide warnings for several localities in six districts yesterday (30).
Accordingly, a Level 02 (amber) alert was issued for the following areas: Nuwara Eliya – Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas; and Ratnapura, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda and Imbulpe DSDs and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Level 01 (yellow) alerts have been issued for the following areas: Colombo – Seethawaka DSD and surrounding areas; Kandy – Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Udapalatha DSDs and surrounding areas; Kegalle – Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Galigamuwa, Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Mawanella, Kegalle and Deraniyagala DSDs and surrounding areas; Kurunegala – Mawathagama DSD and surrounding areas; Nuwara Eliya – Kotmale DSD and surrounding areas; Ratnapura – Kuruwita, Elapatha, Kiriella, Ayagama and Kalawana DSDs and surrounding areas.
According to the Meteorology Department, the prevailing showery and windy conditions over the island are expected to continue further, due to the active Southwest monsoon.
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western and Southern Provinces.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Nuwara Eliya district.
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts in the evening or night.
Strong winds of about 50 to 60 kmph can be expected over the western slopes of the Central hills and in the North Central, Western, Southern and North Western Provinces and in the Trincomalee and Monaragala districts.
