Red alert issued as heavy showers to continue
The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘red alert’ on the prevailing adverse weather, which will be valid until 8.30am tomorrow (Oct. 22).
A low-level atmospheric disturbance located to the east of the Island is intensified into a low-
pressure area. This system is developing further and likely to move west-northwestward near Sri Lanka, the Department says.
Due to the influence of this system, very heavy falls above 150 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North- western, Southern and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura district, it adds.
General public is requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Water levels in river basins rise
Heavy rainfall continues across several river basins in Sri Lanka, as adverse weather conditions continue across Sri Lanka.
The highest rainfall within the 12 hours ending at 06.00 am today (Oct. 21), was reported in the Baddegama area, recording 167 mm of rain. This has resulted in extensive submergence in low-lying regions along the Baddegama area.
Significant rainfall has also been observed in the Kalu, Kelani, Attanagalu Oya, and Kirindi Oya river basins.
Rising water levels in the Maha Oya and Deduru Oya basins have prompted flood warnings for low-lying areas.
The spill gates of the Rajanganaya, Angamuwa, Kalawewa, Deduru Oya, and Thabbowa reservoirs remain open, according to the Department of Irrigation.
Landslide warnings
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued a Level 1 (Yellow Alert – Low Risk) landslide warning for districts including Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura.
