The Department of Irrigation has issued major flood warnings to several areas due to a rise in the water levels of several rivers, effective from 09.30 am today (29).
According to the Irrigation Department, major flood warnings have been issued in the Hanwella and Glenclose areas due to a rise in the water level of the Kelani River.
Major flood warnings have also been issued to the Millakanda area due to a rise in the water level of the Kalu Ganga, the Badalgama and Girulla areas due to rising water levels in the Maha Oya, and the Dunamale area due to a rise in the water levels of the Attanagallu Oya.
Meanwhile, minor flood warnings have been issued to Nagalgama Street (Kelani River), Elagawa and Ratnapura (Kalu Ganga), Kataragama (Menik Ganga), and Horowpathana (Yan Oya).
The Irrigation Department has issued flood alerts to Kithulgala (Kelani River), Putupaula and Magura (Kalu Ganga), and Thalgahagoda (Nilawa River).
The department has also issued a critical flood warning to the Maha Oya Basin, stating that there is a potential for a High-Risk Flood Situation at a severity not experienced in recent history in the next 24 hours, stating at 08.30 am today.
A considerable rainfall has occurred in most of the upper catchment areas of the Maha Oya Basin. Based on the prevailing rainfall conditions and the analysis of river water levels observed at the gauging stations operated by the Irrigation Department within the Maha Oya Basin, it is hereby issued that, from this moment and over the next 24 hours, there is a potential for a High-Risk Flood Situation at a severity not experienced in recent history in the low-lying areas of the Maha Oya Valley.
The public residing in these areas are strongly requested to act with extreme caution in order to safeguard their lives, and to proceed as quickly as possible to the safest locations available to them. The Disaster Management authorities are hereby requested to treat this matter with utmost priority and to take all necessary actions accordingly, it added. (Newswire)