Heavy rain keeps several rivers near minor flood levels

Heavy rain continued to affect much of Sri Lanka on Thursday, with several major rivers remaining at or close to minor flood levels, the Irrigation Department said.

The Department of Meteorology said showers or thundershowers were expected at times in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, while rain was forecast over other parts of the island after 1 p.m. today (12).

Heavy falls exceeding 100 mm are possible at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva Provinces.

The public has been advised to take precautions against lightning and temporary strong winds during thundershowers.

Misty conditions are also expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva Provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the early morning.

Chief Hydrology Management Engineer of the Irrigation Department L.S. Sooriyabandara said rainfall had increased over many parts of the country during the past 24 hours, including the Southern, Western, North-Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

The highest rainfall was recorded in the upper catchments of the Gin and Nilwala rivers, where between 100 mm and 120 mm of rain had fallen.

Rainfall of close to 100 mm was also recorded in parts of the Kalu Ganga catchment, particularly around the Maguru Ganga, as well as in the lower reaches of the Attanagalu Oya in Gampaha and around Kataragama.

Many other areas recorded between 50 mm and 75 mm of rain.

Sooriyabandara said water levels in several rivers remained at or near minor flood levels.

The Nilwala Ganga at Akuressa and downstream areas remained close to minor flood level, although no significant further rise had been observed.

The Gin Ganga around Baddegama and nearby areas remained at minor flood level but was not showing signs of developing into a major flood.

Water levels in the Kalu Ganga at Magura and Millakanda were also close to minor flood level.

The Kelani Ganga had recorded a moderate rise but had not reached flood level, while the Attanagalu Oya around Gampaha, Dunamale and downstream areas remained at minor flood level.

The Maha Oya had also risen moderately, but there was no immediate flood risk, he said.

The Irrigation Department warned that further heavy rain was possible today in the wet zone and in the Uva, Southern, Western, North-Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

With many reservoirs likely to release excess water, intense rainfall over short periods could also cause sudden inundation of low-lying areas and roads.

People living near rivers and streams have therefore been urged to closely monitor water levels, exercise caution when using riverbanks and waterways, and follow warnings issued by the relevant authorities.