Highest rainfall in Ingiriya; flood warning for Kuda Ganga, Nilwala Ganga Basins

Following the rainfall records reported during the past 24 hours, the Ingiriya area in the Kalutara District recorded the highest rainfall, which was 101.5mm, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

The Deniyaya area in the Matara district recorded the second-highest rainfall, which is 100.5mm. The Vithanakanda Estate in Ratnapura district recorded 80.0 mm, and the Uduwila area in the Kegalle district recorded 73.5 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.

The showery condition in the South-Western part of the island is likely to continue further.

Due to active South-West monsoon conditions over the island, heavy rains above 100 mm are likely in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts today.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department issued a high-risk level (Red) warning even today for the seven districts, including Gampaha, Kegalle, Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara.

The Irrigation Department has issued a report claiming considerable rainfall in the upstream catchment areas of the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu Ganga today. 

As a result, there is a high possibility of roads running through the flood plains of the Kuda Ganga being inundated and residents and motorists passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution. By analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of hydrological stations along the Kuda Ganga, it is warned that there is a possibility of a flood situation in low-lying areas of the Kuda Ganga valley situated in Palinda Nuwara and Bulathsinhala D/S Divisions.

There is a high possibility of roads running through the flood plains of Kuda Ganga being inundated. Residents in these areas and mororists through these areas are requested to pay high attention to this. 

Meanwhile, considerable rainfall has been received in the upstream and middle-reach catchment areas of the Nilwala Ganga basin. It is warned that there is a possibility of a flood situation in the low-lying areas of the Nilwala Ganga valley in the Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Pasgoda, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Matara and Devinuwara D/S Divisions. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)