Heavy Rain Pushes Several Sri Lankan Rivers Towards Flooding, Irrigation Department Warns
November 12, Colombo (LNW): Intense rainfall over the past 24 hours has driven water levels in several major rivers across Sri Lanka to minor flood levels, prompting the Department of Irrigation to issue a warning to communities living in vulnerable low-lying areas.
Chief Engineer (Hydrology) of the Department, L. S. Sooriyabandara, said heavy showers had affected wide areas of the country, particularly the Southern, Western, North Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the upper catchment areas of the Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga, where precipitation ranged between 100 and 120 millimetres. Parts of the Kalu Ganga basin, especially around the Maguru Ganga, also experienced rainfall approaching 100 millimetres. Similar amounts were reported in the lower catchment areas of the Attanagalu Oya in Gampaha and locations around Kataragama.
Several other parts of the island received between 50 and 75 millimetres of rain, with showers extending into the Northern, Eastern and North Central provinces, in addition to the already affected regions.
The resulting increase in river flows has brought several waterways close to or into minor flood conditions. The Nilwala Ganga has reached levels associated with minor flooding around Akuressa and neighbouring low-lying areas, although officials have not observed a significant further increase in its water level.
The Gin Ganga has also reached minor flood levels in the Baddegama area and surrounding localities. However, current observations do not indicate that the river is progressing towards major flooding.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Kalu Ganga near Maguru and Millakanda have approached minor flood thresholds, while the Kelani Ganga has recorded a general rise without any flooding being reported so far.
The Attanagalu Oya has reached minor flood levels in Gampaha, Dunamale and nearby low-lying areas. The Maha Oya has also experienced a rise in water levels, although the Department has not identified an immediate flood threat along the river.
Sooriyabandara warned that further significant rainfall could occur today, particularly across the Wet Zone and parts of the Uva, Southern, Western, North Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
The prevailing weather conditions could also require the opening of spill gates at several reservoirs, depending on water levels and the volume of additional rainfall. Such releases, combined with further precipitation, could affect downstream communities.
The Department cautioned that even relatively short periods of intense rainfall could cause water to accumulate rapidly in low-lying settlements and along roads, creating hazardous conditions with little warning.
Residents living close to rivers and streams already experiencing minor flooding have therefore been urged to remain alert to sudden changes in water levels and take appropriate precautions.
The public has also been advised to avoid unnecessary risks when using rivers, particularly for bathing, crossing or other recreational activities, and to follow official warnings and updates issued by the Department of Irrigation.
Authorities have stressed that the situation could change depending on the intensity and distribution of further rainfall, making continued monitoring essential throughout the day.
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