Red landslide warnings issued for several districts
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued the highest-level landslide evacuation warning for several areas in Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts amid continued heavy rainfall and an increased risk of landslides.
The Level 3 (Red) warning is effective from 4.00 p.m. today (25) until 4.00 p.m. tomorrow (26).In Galle, the warning covers the Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama Divisional Secretariat divisions and surrounding areas.
In Kandy, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale have been placed under the Red warning.In Nuwara Eliya, the warning applies to Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood.The NBRO has advised residents in areas under the Level 3 warning to evacuate to safe locations if rainfall continues, citing the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rockfalls, failures of cut slopes and ground subsidence.
Meanwhile, Level 2 (Amber) warnings have been issued for Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in Galle; Walallawita in Kalutara; Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in Kandy; and Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in Kegalle.Thalawakele in Nuwara Eliya, as well as Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in Ratnapura District, are also under the Amber warning. Pelmadulla has been upgraded from the previous warning level.
Level 1 (Yellow) warnings remain in force for several other areas in the Colombo, Gampaha, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts. The Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat division has been newly added to the Yellow warning list.The NBRO said the warning levels were determined based on cumulative rainfall recorded in the respective areas and weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.
It urged the public to exercise particular caution in areas with steep slopes, valleys, man-made cut slopes and roads in potentially hazardous locations, especially areas previously identified as being vulnerable to landslides.Residents in landslide-prone areas have also been advised to remain alert for warning signs, including cracks or subsidence in the ground, leaning trees, electricity or telephone poles, cracks appearing in buildings on slopes, and the sudden emergence of springs or muddy water.