• Water levels in several rivers rising; flood warning issued

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

The prevailing showery condition in the South-Western parts of the country particularly in Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central and Central Provinces is expected to continue further, the Meteorology Department said yesterday. 

Issuing an advisory for heavy rains, the Department said heavy falls above 100 mm could be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts. 

The Department said showers or thundershowers would occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night.  Moreover, it said the showery condition over the South-Western and North-Western parts of the island is likely to enhance. 
“Showers or thundershowers will occur at times at the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western, Southern and North-Western Provinces,” it said. 
The Department requested the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. 

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday issued landslide warnings for several areas in Kalutara, Colombo, Kegalle, Matara, Ratnapura and Galle Districts. 

People in those areas were asked to be watchful on sudden appearance of water sprouts, cracks on walls and on the soil as these maybe signs of impending landslides.  Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department issued a flood warning in several areas following the heavy rains. 

The Department said in a statement that the water level in the Nilwala, Gin, and Kalu rivers are rising at present. 
Accordingly, flood warnings have been issued to people residing in Bulathsinhala, Palinda Nuwara, Millaniya, Horana, Dodangoda, and the areas under the Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha Divisional Secretariat.   People in low-lying areas surrounding the rivers have been requested to remain vigilant of floods.