NBRO issues landslide alerts despite lifting of red notices

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Dec. 23 (Daily Mirror) - National Building Research Organization (NBRO) geologist Suminda Ratnayake has urged the public to avoid visiting landslide-affected areas, even though red notices have been lifted following a decrease in rainfall.

Addressing the media today, Ratnayake said that two-stage alert notices have been issued for the Ududumbara, Medadumbara, and Minipe Divisional Secretariats in Kandy District and the Walapane, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, and Anguranketha Divisional Secretariats in Nuwara Eliya District. Additionally, stage one alerts have been issued for 31 Divisional Secretariats across Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale, and Kurunegala districts.

“Even a small amount of rainfall in these disaster-hit areas can destabilize mountain slopes, leading to potential landslides. Residents and travelers should follow the forecasts issued by the Meteorological Department and the landslide warnings from NBRO,” he warned.

Ratnayake also emphasized that any ongoing development or construction work in these areas should be inspected by qualified officials and carried out according to their recommendations to ensure safety.