Indian Rescue Team Arrives in Sri Lanka
The flood risk in the Kelani River continues to escalate, according to Engineer Sakura Dilthara of the Hydrology Division of the Department of Irrigation.
She stated that the Kelani River is currently at major flood level.
The Nagalagam Street water gauge is now reading 6.4 feet and she noted that once it exceeds 7 feet, it reaches the major flood level.
In addition, the flood levels of several other rivers, including the Deduru Oya and Attanagalu Oya, are also continuing to rise, she said.
Owing to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected in the Northern, North Central, North-Western and Central Provinces today, according to the Department of Meteorology.
Meteorology Director General Athula Karunanayake stated that the cyclone is now gradually weakening and moving away.
The water released from the Deduru Oya, Rajanganaya and Kala Oya reservoirs is flowing through the Deduru Oya, Mee Oya and Kala Oya towards the Puttalam District.
As a result, the flood situation in the area is steadily increasing, Puttalam District Secretary Saman Silva said.
He added that the Navy has commenced rescue operations to evacuate individuals stranded due to flooding.
Meanwhile, due to the heavy rainfall, the National Building Research Organisation has issued red landslide warnings to several Divisional Secretariat divisions across seven districts in the country.
