Flood threat as weather makes a u-turn

By Yohan Perera, D. G. Sugathapala and Ranjith Rajapaksa  

Sri Lanka’s weather seemed to have taken a u turn with three districts in the South facing a flood threat with one person already dead as a result while low lands in some areas going under water. 

 
Water levels of three major rivers were said to be rising while low lands in Galle District and Bogawantalawa in the Central province were under water.  

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) issued a flood alert in Galle, and Matara as the water level of the Kalu Ganga, Gin and Nilwala rivers have risen and reached an alert position.  
Landslide warnings were also issued by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) for Galle, Kalutara, Kagalle and Ratnapura Districts. A mudslide in Nawalapitiya left one person dead. 

Nearly 100 mm rainfall was reported from Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Colombo Districts as per the data put out from DMC which quoted the Department of Meteorology.  

Showers exceeding 100 mm were predicted by the Department of Meteorology in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces.  

The wind speed was expected to increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil and in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai. Wind speed was expected to increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. The naval and fishing communities who are engaged in fishing and naval activities in the above sea areas are requested to be vigilant in this regard.