The National Building Research Institute (NBRO) has issued Level 3 (Red) landslide evacuation warnings for several areas in the Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, as heavy rainfall continues to increase landslide risks in several parts of the country.
The latest warning is valid from 4.00 pm today (25) until 4.00 pm tomorrow (26).
In the Galle District, the Red warning applies to the Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama Divisional Secretariat divisions and surrounding areas.
In the Kandy District, Red warnings are in effect for Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale, while in the Nuwara Eliya District, Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood have also been placed under the highest warning level.
Under a Level 3 warning, the NBRO advises residents to evacuate to safe locations if rainfall continues, due to the risk of landslides, slope failures, rockfalls, cutting failures and ground subsidence.
Meanwhile, Level 2 (Amber) warnings have been issued for Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in Galle; Walallawita in Kalutara; Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in Kandy; and Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in Kegalle.
Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya District has also been placed under an Amber warning, while Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura District are at the same warning level. The report indicates that Pelmadulla has been upgraded by one warning level.
Level 1 (Yellow) warnings are in effect for several other areas across the Colombo, Gampaha, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts. The Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat division was newly added under the latest update.
The NBRO said the warning levels are based on cumulative rainfall received in the respective areas and weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.
Special attention has been requested in areas with steep slopes, valleys, man-made cut slopes and roads located in hazardous areas, particularly locations previously identified as landslide-prone.
Residents in landslide-prone areas have also been urged to remain alert for warning signs such as cracks or subsidence in the ground, leaning trees, electricity and telephone poles, cracks in buildings constructed on slopes and the sudden appearance of springs or muddy water. Those observing such signs should move away from the affected areas immediately. (Newswire)