Severe weather strikes; flood threat looms

• Heavy rains, strong winds, floods and landslides threaten lives
• Residents are urged to remain alert and strictly follow all weather advisories
• With two deaths already reported, officials warn that the dangerous conditions will continue for the next few days

• Rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected to continue, impacting Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Southern provinces after 1 pm 

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning as harsh weather conditions are expected to lash out across the island in the coming days, with a threat to damaging homes and affecting people’s livelihoods. With two deaths already reported, officials warned that the dangerous conditions will continue for the next few days, with heavy rain, strong winds, and floods expected in many areas.   

Deputy Director Meril Mendis said a low-pressure area near the island is intensifying and moving west-northwest. Rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected to continue, impacting Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Southern provinces after 1 pm. Residents are urged to remain alert and strictly follow all weather advisories.   

Strong winds of up to 40 kmph are forecast over the western slopes of the central hills, as well as in Western, Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Southern provinces and the Trincomalee District.   

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director Pradeep Kodippili reported that 740 people from 187 families have already been affected in Kurunegala, Galle, Anuradhapura, Kegalle and Badulla districts. Two deaths have been confirmed in Anuradhapura and Kegalle due to high winds and sudden floods, while 152 houses have been damaged.   

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued a Level 2 Amber landslide warning for Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, and Ratnapura districts.   

The Irrigation Department has flood warnings in place for low-lying areas of the Maha Oya and Deduru Oya basins, with water levels continuing to rise. Irrigation Director Suriyabandara reported that heavy rainfall, particularly in Baddegama (172 mm), has raised river levels across several basins, including the Kalu, Kelani, Gin, Attanagalu and Kirindi Oya. Reservoirs at Kirindi Oya and Lunugamvehera have also reached high levels, creating a risk of overflow.   

The Meteorology Department’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has urged naval and fishing communities to exercise extreme caution. The low-pressure system is expected to intensify and approach Sri Lanka in the coming days, with wind speeds at sea forecasted at 55–65 kmph, accompanied by heavy thundershowers. Fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into these dangerous waters.   

Adverse weather has also disrupted transportation, with upcountry train services halted due to a landslide between Balana and Ihala Kotte.   

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and advise all residents in vulnerable areas to stay indoors, follow official instructions, and take all necessary safety precautions.