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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Certain areas around the slopes of Ambuluwawe Mountain have been identified as high-risk landslide zones, and residents of 18 houses have been instructed to evacuate immediately, it was reported.

According to the state newspaper Dinamina, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has further stated that these areas should be preserved as highly sensitive landslide zones, free from construction and development activities.

After entering the Ambuluwawe Biodiversity Complex and moving a short distance, the observation team of the NBRO inspected a slope and the houses located below it. Their report noted that 7 houses are situated in a high-risk zone, while 6 houses fall within a medium-risk zone.

The NBRO also inspected several slopes in another part of Ambuluwawe Mountain, and according to their findings, 11 houses and buildings in the Ambuluwawe Watthekade area are located in a high-risk zone, while 12 houses are in a medium-risk zone.

Accordingly, the NBRO has stated that the identified high-risk areas should be preserved as highly sensitive landslide zones, without construction or development activities.

Residents living in medium-risk areas have been advised to evacuate after receiving prior warnings or if rainfall exceeds a specified level. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has announced that updated forecasts from the Department of Meteorology show a shift in the deep depression’s movement in the Bay of Bengal.

Per the latest forecast issued at 08.00 am today, the anticipated heavy rainfall in the previously warned Central Highlands divisions has eased.

Residents in those areas are advised that evacuation is not required under the current advisory.

The NBRO added that it will continue to closely monitor weather developments and issue guidance as needed.

The public is urged to remain alert and follow the latest weather updates. (Newswire)

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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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Sri Lanka’s National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned of deteriorating air quality across several urban centres, with the latest readings showing conditions slipping into “slightly unhealthy” levels. 

According to the NBRO, Colombo 07, Vavuniya, Kandy, Kegalle, Galle, Embilipitiya, and Puttalam recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) values above 100 during the past 24 hours.

The situation is forecast to persist over the next 24 hours, with AQI levels ranging between 44 and 112 nationwide. While most cities are expected to remain at moderate levels, Galle and Puttalam are predicted to continue experiencing slightly unhealthy conditions, whereas Nuwara Eliya is likely to enjoy “good” air quality.

Officials have advised residents, particularly sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to wear masks and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties. 

The NBRO also noted that peak pollution hours are expected between 8.00–9.00 a.m. and 4.00–5.00 p.m., urging caution during these times. (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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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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The air quality in five cities is recorded at slightly unhealthy levels today, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said.

According to the NBRO, the air quality is recorded at moderate levels in several other parts of Sri Lanka.

The air quality in Galle, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya, Batticaloa, and Anuradhapura is expected to improve from slightly unhealthy levels to moderate levels in the next 24 hours.

The NBRO added that the air quality is also expected to remain between moderate to good levels in other areas during this period. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) says air quality in several areas of Sri Lanka remains moderate today.

According to the NBRO, the air quality in Ratnapura and Embilipitiya is expected to worsen to slightly unhealthy levels during the day.

The public is requested to seek medical advice if this condition causes breathing difficulties for sensitive individuals. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warnings issued to 09 districts until 04.00 pm tomorrow (29 Nov). 

According to the NBRO, Red Alerts have been issued to some areas of the Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya Districts.

Amber Alerts have been issued to the Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya Districts.

Yellow Alerts have been issued to the Badulla, Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura Districts. 

The public has been urged to evacuate from high-risk areas and adhere to instructions from relevant officials. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued Red Notices for several divisional secretariat areas in the Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Since rainfall over 150 mm has been recorded in these areas during the past 24 hours, residents have been advised to remain vigilant and evacuate to safe locations to avoid the risk of landslides, rockfall and ground subsidence. (Newswire)

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The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued early landslide warnings to the Kalutara and Ratnapura districts effective until 04.00 pm today due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, a yellow alert has been issued to the Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala, Mathugama and Palindanuwara areas in the Kalutara District.

A yellow alert has also been issued to the Ratnapura, Kalawana, Kuruwita, Kiriella, Ayagama, Elapatha and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura Districts. 

The landslide warnings are issued as the Met Department has forecasted that the prevailing showery conditions are expected to continue today in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka faces no threat due to the 6.2 magnitude earthquake reported in Nepal today, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said.

The NBRO stated that it is reported that strong tremors were felt in the New Delhi, National Capital Region, and other parts of north India as a result of the earthquake.

According to Indian Media, two earthquakes hit in Nepal – one of magnitude 4.6 and the other of 6.2 – within 25 minutes of each other at a depth of 5 km. 

The first earthquake hit Nepal at 2:25 pm before being hit by the second at 2:51 pm. 

“Earthquake of Magnitude: 6.2, Occurred on 03-10-2023, 14:51:04 IST, Lat: 29.39 & Long: 81.23, Depth: 5 Km ,Location: Nepal,” the National Centre for Seismology said in a statement. (NewsWire)

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