The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued a landslide warning to six districts, as of 06.00 am today (22), due to heavy rainfall experienced in several parts of Sri Lanka. 

Effective until 06.00 am tomorrow (23), the NBRO has issued landslide warnings to the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura districts. 

Stage three warnings (red alert) have been issued to Dehiowita in Kegalle and Ratnapura. 

Stage two warnings (amber alert) have been issued to Seethawaka and Padukka in Colombo, Attanagalla in Gampaha, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in Kalutara, Ruwanwella in Kegalle, and Kuruwita, Ayagama and Pelmadulla in Ratnapura.

Stage one warnings (yellow alert) have been issued to Yatiyanthota in Kegalle, Ambagamuwa in Nuwara Eliya, and Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Kalawana in Ratnapura. 

Area residents have been urged to remain vigilant of possible disaster situations in the event of heavy rainfall. (Newswire) 

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), on Friday (15), has renewed landslide warnings for a number of areas across the country as heavy rainfall continues to impact several districts.

The updated warnings will remain valid from 4 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday (16).

The NBRO placed a number of Divisional Secretariat divisions under Level 2 alerts, advising residents to remain highly vigilant due to the increased risk of landslides and slope failures.

The higher-level warnings cover selected areas in Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala and Ratnapura districts, including Seethawaka, Neluwa, Agalawatta, Matugama, Horana, Walallawita, Alawwa, Narammala and Ratnapura.

Several divisions in Kandy District, including Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Pasbage Korale and Yatinuwara, were also included in the Level 2 category.

Meanwhile, Level 1 “be alert” notices were issued for multiple areas in Badulla, Gampaha, Kegalle, Matale, Matara, Monaragala and Nuwara Eliya districts, among others.

The NBRO has advised residents living in vulnerable areas to closely monitor conditions and seek assistance if signs such as cracks in the ground, leaning trees, soil subsidence or unusual water flows are observed. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warnings issued to several areas due to the prevalent inclement weather in Sri Lanka. 

According to the NBRO, level 2 landslide warnings are in effect for the following areas;

• Neluwa in Galle District.
• Agalawatte, Badureliya, Mathugama, Horana and Wallallawita in Kalutara District.
• Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in Ratnapura District.

Level 1 landslide warnings are in effect for the following areas:

• Bandarawela, Passara and Hali Ella in Badulla District
• Thawalama, Elpitiya, and Niyagama in Galle District
• Ingiriya and Bulathsinghala in Kalutara District.
• Poojapitiya, Dumpane, Deltota, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Hatharaliyaththa, Harispattuwa, Pasbayakorale, Yatinuwara, Udapalatha, Pathahewaheta, Panwila, Gangaihalakorale, Gangawatakorale, and Akura in Kandy District.
• Bulathkohupitiya, Mawanella, Kegalle, Aranayake, Yatiyanthota, Warakapola, and Rambukkana in Kegalle District. 
• Ridigama in Kurunegala District.
• Ratthota, Naula, Ambanganga Korale in Matale District. 
• Wellawaya, Badalkumbura, and Bibile in Monaragale District.
• Norwood, Ambagamuwe Korale, and Kotmale in Nuwara Eliya District. 
• Eheliyagoda, Kalawana, Kuruwita, Godakawela, Kiriella, and Ayagama in Ratnapura District. 

Stating that the Met department has forecast rains for the said areas in the coming days, the NBRO requested residents to remain vigilant of disaster situations. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre has issued a landslide warning to eleven (11) districts, effective until 09.00 am tomorrow (14). 

Accordingly, yellow alerts have been issued to a few areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts.

Amber alerts have been issued to a few areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, and Ratnapura Districts. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to raise the financial assistance provided to families relocated from high‑risk landslide zones under the resettlement program.

According to the government, currently, each beneficiary family receives up to Rs. 1.6 million to construct a new house. With the latest decision, this amount will be increased to Rs. 2.5 million per house.

The proposal was presented by the President in his capacity as Minister of Defence, highlighting the need to strengthen support for families compelled to leave their homes due to severe landslide threats.

The resettlement programme operates on the basis that beneficiaries themselves undertake the construction of their houses, with government funding provided to ease the transition. 

This enhanced grant is expected to accelerate the rebuilding process and provide greater security for affected communities. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued updated landslide evacuation notices for four districts at 8:30 p.m. today.

Evacuation-level red alerts were issued to residents in several Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) and surrounding areas, where rainfall exceeding 150 millimeters was reported over the past 24 hours.

In the Kandy District, red alerts were declared for Yatinuwara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Ganga Ihala Korale DSDs and nearby areas.

In the Kegalle District, evacuation notices were issued for Yatiyanthota, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Aranayaka and Mawanella DSDs and surrounding areas.

In the Matale District, the affected DSDs include Rattota, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala Pallegama, Wilgamuwa and Ukuwela, along with adjacent areas.

In the Ratnapura District, a red alert was issued for the Ratnapura DSD and surrounding areas.

Several areas in Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts meanwhile have been issued Amber level alerts.

The NBRO urged residents in the identified locations to evacuate to safer areas and follow instructions from local authorities. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings for two districts.

The NBRO said the warning is effective from 8:00 a.m. today (Feb. 20) until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Accordingly, residents in the Nildandahinna and Walapane Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District have been advised to remain alert.

In addition, the NBRO has urged residents in the Maturata and Hanguranketha Divisional Secretariat divisions in Nuwara Eliya District, as well as the Meegahakivula and Kandeketiya Divisional Secretariat divisions in Badulla District, to remain vigilant. (Newswire)

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The body of a 30-year-old man who went missing after a landslide struck the village of Gawarammana in Welimada  was recovered on Monday (26th), more than two months after the incident.

The victim, a father of one, was employed by the Road Development Authority and was serving as a lorry driver at the time of the accident. He was reported missing after a landslide occurred on November 27 while road-clearing operations were under way following heavy rains.

According to a witness, Road Development Authority workers arrived at the site around 2:15 p.m. on November 26th to clear damage caused by earlier landslides.

The fatal landslide struck the following day at approximately 11:40 a.m. as workers were attempting to remove a fallen tree that was blocking the road. (Newswire)

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Search and rescue teams were working on Thursday to locate several people, including children, reported missing after a landslide struck a campground on New Zealand’s northern coast amid record rainfall.

The landslide hit a campsite at Mount Maunganui, flattening tents and sweeping a campervan into nearby hot pools. Witnesses told the New Zealand Herald they heard people screaming for help from inside a toilet block following the slide, but rescuers were unable to find them and the voices fell silent after about 15 minutes.

The Tauranga area and the surrounding Western Bay of Plenty District, where Mount Maunganui is located, recorded their wettest day on record, with about two and a half months’ worth of rain falling in just 12 hours. Thousands of people also lost power, most of them along the North Island’s east coast.

In a separate incident nearby, two people remain missing after a slip struck a house in Papamoa. Authorities are also searching for a man north of Auckland who went missing on Wednesday after being swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a river.

“Police, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, are working to locate and rescue people trapped in a landslide that came down off Mount Maunganui at 9.30 am (2030 GMT) today,” Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said, according to Radio New Zealand. He urged the public to stay away from the campsite and surrounding roads while operations continue and said efforts were also ongoing to find the two missing people in Papamoa.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said extreme weather continued to create dangerous conditions across the North Island.

“Right now, the government is doing everything we can to support those impacted,” Luxon wrote on the US-based social media platform X. He said authorities were closely monitoring developments nationwide, including the major incident at Mount Maunganui, where Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell was on the ground. (TRT World)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings to four districts, effective until 08.30 am tomorrow (Jan 07). 

According to the NBRO, amber alerts have been issued to Ududumbara in Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in Matale District, and Walapane in Nuwara Eliya District. 

Meanwhile, yellow alerts have been issued to the following areas;

• Badulla District – Badulla, Hali Ela, Lunugala, Welimada.
• Kandy District – Doluwa
• Matale District – Ambangaha Korale
• Nuwara Eliya District – Hanguranketha, Nildhandahinna, Mathurata. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organisation has extended the landslide warnings issued to five districts, effective until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (19). 

Accordingly, red alerts have been issued to the Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas in the Kandy District. 

Red alerts have also been issued to the Hanguranketha, Nildandahinna, Walapane and Mathurata Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) and surrounding areas in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Amber alerts have been issued for several areas in the Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya Districts. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) says landslide early warnings are issued based on weather forecasts from the Meteorology Department and real‑time data obtained from automated rain gauges installed in landslide‑prone areas. 

In a statement, the NBRO said that these early warnings are issued only for a 24‑hour period and are updated according to changes in rainfall. Furthermore, the warnings are released at a regional level, targeting the protection of the lives of people living in identified landslide‑risk areas and those residing near vulnerable slopes.

Although a regional early warning covers an entire area, it is intended to alert about the likelihood of landslides in unstable locations within that area, and does not imply that the whole region will be affected. The procedure for issuing these regional early warnings follows internationally accepted scientific methods used in other countries, the NBRO further said. 

The NBRO noted that scientific methods available for managing natural disasters, such as landslides, have limitations. 

“Since this situation poses a challenge to all of us, we must understand these realities and, instead of blaming one another, encourage and support the officials working with dedication, acting with patience and awareness,” it added. (Newswire)

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A landslide has been reported in the Bogahapathana area of Meegahakiwula, Morahena.

Although efforts were made to evacuate residents from the area, several families have remained without moving to safe centres.

Despite the landslide, no loss of life has been reported from the location. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has informed District Secretaries to take steps to relocate residents living in vulnerable areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts to safe centres.

The DMC stated that this directive was issued based on red notices released by the National Building Research Organization.

With the prevailing rainy weather conditions, the NBRO has issued landslide red notices for identified risk areas within Divisional Secretariat divisions of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts.

Accordingly, the DMC has instructed District Secretaries to relocate residents of these areas to safe centres between December 9 and December 19.

The DMC further noted that District Secretaries, NBRO officials, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, Sri Lanka Police, and other relevant parties should coordinate the evacuation process.

The areas where people are to be relocated to safe centres are listed below:

Kandy District – 

Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Deltota, Pujapitiya, Gangaihala Korale, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Udapalatha, Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Minipe, Doluwa, Thumpane, Akurana, Udunuwara, and Pathadumbara.

Kegalle District – 

Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayake, Yatiyantota, Rambukkana, and Warakapola.

Kurunegala District – 

Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, and Ridigama.

Matale District – 

Naula, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala, Pallepola, Ukuwela, Rattota, Matale, and Yatawatta. (Newswire)

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According to the advisory, areas in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and parts of Ratnapura and Kegalle districts have been issued Level 3 (Red) evacuation alerts.

Residents living on slopes, near cut slopes, and close to steep roads are advised to evacuate immediately to safer locations if rainfall continues. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warning issued to the Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, and Kurunegala Districts. 

The red alert landslide warning is effective for 40 District Secretariat Divisions in the four districts. 

Senior Scientist at the NBRO, Dr. Wasantha Senadeera, said, according to the Met Department, rainy conditions are expected from 06 -09 December, mostly affecting the Southern Province.

Addressing the media, he said that it is predicted that rainy conditions will continue from 09-13 December, affecting the Central Province, mostly Matale, Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya districts. 

He said, even though the rainy conditions are expected to reduce thereafter, it will recommence from 16-19 December, affecting the Central Province once again. 

Dr. Wasantha Senadeera explained that the rain conditions are expected due to the Northeast Monsoon season and urged the public to remain vigilant. (Newswire)

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Several more deaths have been reported in various districts due to the prevalent inclement weather conditions in Sri Lanka. 

The Badulla District Secretary says 35 people have died in the Badulla District alone due to the disaster. 

Meanwhile, the Kandy District Secretary says the death toll in the Kandy district alone has risen to 50, with another 67 missing. 

Five bodies have been recovered and 12 people are unaccounted for in the area of Yahangala in Hasalaka, Kandy, following a landslide.

Furthermore, the Police say 12 people are unaccounted for in the area of Dedugala in Bulathkohupitiya, Kegalle following a landslide. (Newswire)

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A landslide occurred today (28) at the old railway yard road in Nawalapitiya, collapsing onto a house and claiming the lives of three members of the same family.

According to Nawalapitiya Police, the deceased are a woman, her mother-in-law, and a three‑month‑old infant.

It was reported that heavy rainfall in the Nawalapitiya area triggered the landslide onto the house. Despite extensive rescue efforts by local residents together with Nawalapitiya Police officers, they were unable to save the victims.

The bodies of the deceased have been placed at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital.

Due to adverse weather conditions, five people have died in the Nawalapitiya area so far, while nearly 50 families have been relocated to safe camps, according to Nawalapitiya Divisional Secretary Ramya Jayasundara. (Newswire)

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The Colombo-Kandy main road between the 88 and 89 km posts in Meepitiya in Kegalle has been temporarily closed.

According to the DMC, the road closure is due to the risk of landslides as a result of the prevalent inclement weather conditions. 

The DMC requests drivers to use alternative roads. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warnings issued to 13 districts, effective until 02.00 am tomorrow. 

According to the NBRO, red alerts have been issued to several areas in the Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Meanwhile, amber alerts have been issued to some areas in the Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Monaragala, and Ratnapura districts. 

Yellow alerts have been issued to areas in the Gampaha, Hambantota, Matara, and Ratnapura districts. (Newswire)

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