The Navy has deployed 17 emergency teams to identified disaster prone areas in the Kalutara, Galle and Ratnapura districts, the Navy Spokespersons said today.

The deployment comes on the heels of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issuing warning to nine districts following rains that exceeded 150mm.

Accordingly, the Neluwa, Thawalama, Nagoda and Four Graveats divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in Galle district, the Palindanuwara divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in Kalutara district, the Ambagamuwa divisional secretariat division and surrounding areas in Nuwara Eliya districts and the Eheliyagoda, Kuruvita, Elapatha, Ratnapura divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in Ratnapura districts are under imminent threat of landslides if rains continue the way they have the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has requested residents in low-lying areas close to the Millakanda, Kalu, Gin and Kelani rivers (near Deraniyagal and Avissawella) and the Aththanagalu Oya to be vigilant as water levels in the rivers were rising.

The DMC requested residents to make preparations to evacuate if necessary, if water levels continue to rise as rains fall.