DMC orders evacuation in landslide-prone areas in four districts

Colombo, Dec. 9 (Daily Mirror) - The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has instructed District Secretaries to evacuate residents living in landslide-prone areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale to designated safe centers, following Level 3 (Red) landslide warnings issued by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).

The NBRO has identified multiple high-risk locations across the four districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions, prompting immediate precautionary action. Evacuations are scheduled to take place between December 9 and 19.

The DMC stated that operations will be coordinated with District Secretaries, NBRO officials, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, the Sri Lanka Police, and other relevant authorities.

The affected areas under Level 3 (Red) warnings include:

Kandy District: Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Udadumbara, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Deltota, Poojapitiya, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panwila, Gangawata Korale, Udapalatha, Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Minipe, Doluwa, Thumpane, Akurana, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, and surrounding areas.

Kegalle District: Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Warakapola, and surrounding areas.

Kurunegala District: Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama, and surrounding areas.

Matale District: Naula, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Rattota, Matale, Yatawatta, and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has warned that with the gradual establishment of the northeast monsoon, showers or thundershowers are expected intermittently across the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces. Deputy Director of Weather Forecasting & Disaster Management Meril Mendis said these rainy conditions may persist until December 19, 2025.