The Irrigation Department has warned of possible minor flooding in low-lying areas of the Attanagalu Oya and Urwal Oya basins belonging to several Divisional Secretariat divisions over the next 24 hours due to heavy rainfall.
According to the department, low-lying areas in the Divulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-Ela, Katana, and Wattala Divisional Secretariat divisions are at risk of minor flooding.
The department also warned that several roads running through these low-lying areas could become temporarily inundated in certain locations.
Authorities said considerable rainfall had been recorded in the catchment areas of the Attanagalu Oya basin during the past few hours and urged residents and motorists travelling through the affected areas to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department also warned that low-lying areas belonging to the Kalu Ganga flood plains in the Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha, and Kiriella Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Ratnapura District could experience minor flooding over the next few hours.
The amber flood warning, issued at 6 a.m. today (22), will remain valid until 6 a.m. tomorrow (23). The department said the warning was issued after analysing heavy rainfall received within the Kalu Ganga basin and water gauge data maintained by the department.
Residents, motorists, and commuters in the affected areas have been advised to exercise caution.
Separately, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today issued Level 3 evacuation red notices for several areas in Dehiowita and Ratnapura.
The notices, issued at 6 a.m. today, will remain in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Accordingly, Level 3 evacuation red warnings have been issued for Kegalle in the Kegalle District and Ratnapura in Ratnapura District.
In addition, Level 2 amber warnings advising residents to remain alert have been issued for several areas in the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Ratnapura districts, including Seethawaka, Padukka, Attanagalla, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala, Ruwanwella, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, and Ayagama.
Yellow Level 1 early warnings have also been issued for Yatiyanthota, Ambagamuwa, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala, and Kalawana in the Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura districts respectively.
The NBRO also issued landslide early warnings for several areas this morning.
Level 2 amber landslide warnings have been issued for Attanagalla in the Gampaha District and Kuruwita and Ratnapura in Ratnapura District.
Meanwhile, Level 1 yellow warnings have been issued for Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara District and Eheliyagoda in Ratnapura District.
The warnings are valid from 3 a.m. today (22) until 3 a.m. tomorrow (23).
